While in Haiti, the YouTuber “YourFellowArab” followed by nearly 1.5 million people was taken hostage by one of the gangs that reign violence on the Caribbean island. Real name Addison Pierre Maalouf, the YouTuber went to Haiti to interview Jimmy Chérizier, aka “Barbecue”, the leader of the most powerful gang in Port-au-Prince.
But on March 14, 24 hours after his arrival, Addison Pierre Maalouf was captured by a gang called 400 Mawozo, according to Haiti 24, under the orders of the boss Lanmo 100 jou. The latter is on the list of people most wanted by the FBI, indicates the Daily Mail.
In exchange for their freedom, the gang demanded a ransom of 600,000 dollars (nearly 560,000 euros). Although $40,000 has already been paid, the kidnappers are demanding a much larger sum. The YouTuber’s family begs the gang to let him return to the United States, adds Haiti 24.
Addison Pierre Maalouf is of Lebanese origin and resides in Atlanta, United States. On his social networks, he presents himself as a “traveler, actor and storyteller (story teller, Editor’s note)”. He is known for appearing in dangerous countries where he rubs shoulders with members of drug cartels and other gangs, in his YouTube videos. For example, one of his videos is titled “100 hours of living with the Mexican cartel”, or “Hunting pirates in the Red Sea”. He likes the taste of risk and enjoys it. In one of his last tweets he wrote: “If I die, thank you for looking at what I posted. If I live, all glory to God.”
As news of his hostage situation spread on social media on Thursday, his fellow streamer (a person who publishes content on Twitch, Editor’s note) Lalem confirmed on Friday on X that his friend had been kidnapped. “I tried to keep it private for 2 weeks but it’s spreading everywhere now. Yes, Arab was kidnapped in Haiti and we are working to get him out,” he tweeted, trying to reassure his community: “I love you all, he will be out soon.” For now, its location remains unknown.
Lalem republished on X the latest video taken by YouTuber YourFellowArab. In a swimsuit, on the terrace of her empty hotel and facing the view of Port-au-Prince, Addison Pierre Maalouf explains on camera that the island is “entirely run by gangs”. “All it takes is one stupid gang member holding an AK-47 for something to go wrong,” he worried. Faced with the risk, the YouTuber declares that he will only go to the city when it is daylight.
Another YouTuber who presents himself as an “adventurer”, Miles “Lord Miles” Routledge, followed by 115,000 people, published on X the last messages he exchanged with Addison Pierre Maalouf before his kidnapping. YourFellowArab then explained to him that he had gone to Port-au-Prince to “interview Barbecue” and joked about the risks he was taking: “If I don’t get kidnapped first.”
“Lord Miles” claims that he is “in contact” with Addison Pierre Maalouf “through the kidnappers”. As a good Samaritan, he claims to have offered “to volunteer to make the exchange with three mercenaries”. “There are no other people who volunteered,” he explained. The young man is also used to risk areas and makes it his business. On his YouTube page, he highlighted one of his videos where he explains “what happened to him when he was arrested by eight Taliban” in Afghanistan.
Haiti, already the victim of a very serious political and security crisis, has been plagued by renewed violence since the beginning of the month, with several gangs joining forces to attack strategic locations in Port-au-Prince. Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign on March 11. Since then, negotiations have been underway to form transitional authorities. In the meantime, armed gangs are intensifying their attacks in the capital. Many countries, including France, have repatriated their nationals.
