PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — James Boyard, inspector general of Haiti’s national police and chief of staff to the defense minister, was abducted along with his wife and their young daughter on June 11 as they traveled to a medical appointment in the capital. The family was forcibly taken from their SUV by armed assailants, some of whom wore police uniforms, on Rue Reimbold in Bourdon, a neighborhood typically considered relatively secure. The group was driven toward Martissant, a gang-dominated area, and has not been seen since. Their captors are reportedly demanding a $700,000 ransom.

The kidnapping of Boyard, who is also a political and security analyst, underscores the growing boldness of criminal gangs in Haiti, where daytime abductions have become increasingly common. His six-year-old daughter holds U.S. citizenship, adding an international dimension to the case.

“This abduction highlights that no one in the city is safe,” said Reginald Delva, a former secretary of state for public security. “The gangs can kidnap whomever they want, wherever they want.” Delva now heads Alerte Haiti, an organization supporting families of kidnapping victims, emphasizing that hostages often face prolonged captivity with multiple ransom demands.

Kidnappings have surged across Port-au-Prince despite the deployment of the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which arrived two months ago to replace the previous Multinational Security Support mission. The GSF is tasked with isolating and neutralizing armed gangs and is expected to be fully operational by autumn. A spokesman for the force described the uptick in kidnappings and extortion as a grave concern and said efforts to target gangs’ financial resources are ongoing.

Violent crime remains rampant. This year alone, at least 2,300 people have died in gang-related violence, according to Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. Armed groups control an estimated 80 to 90 percent of the capital, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with documented kidnappings exceeding 600 last year—a figure believed to be significantly underreported due to victim reluctance.

Efforts by Haitian security forces, supported by private contractors, to reduce violence and restore order have had limited effect. Gangs are entrenched within networks of political and economic influence, sustaining their operations through illicit financial flows, arms trafficking, and patronage, analysts say. These dynamics complicate security challenges and hinder progress toward holding the country’s first elections in a decade.

Recent clashes between rival gangs in neighborhoods such as Cité Soleil have further destabilized the capital. Following Haiti’s recent loss to Scotland in the World Cup, gunmen attacked a rara procession, killing dozens and burning some victims, an incident reported by Pierre Fritznel, executive director of the Joint Effort for Peace and Development.

The violence has disrupted critical infrastructure, including operations at the Port-au-Prince port and the Varreux oil terminal. Richard Lebrun, general director of Terminal Varreux, emphasized the need for a permanent police and GSF presence to safeguard cargo flow and protect vital installations.

Authorities acknowledge underreporting of kidnappings, with some victims hesitant to contact police due to kidnappers’ use of police uniforms. Officials say at least ten kidnappings have been recorded in June alone, with recent targets including government officials and medical personnel. Last month, a cargo ship in the Bay of Port-au-Prince was breached by armed men who seized crew members from Turkey and Russia, demanding a $500,000 ransom.

There are also reports of police involvement or complicity in kidnappings. Two officers were arrested in February on suspicion of participating in abduction activities in the Delmas neighborhood, where gang members have been known to wear police gear during operations.

Experts call for better regulation and public transparency to counteract abuses. Delva suggested that police vehicles clearly display identifying numbers and GPS tracking to distinguish them from imposters and rebuild community trust. Such measures, he argued, could reduce kidnappings by clarifying legitimate law enforcement authority on the streets.

Meanwhile, Boyard, who authored the 2021 book "Insecurity on Trial: Problems, Methods and Strategies," remains in captivity alongside his family as the Haitian government and international partners continue efforts to address the spiraling crisis of gang violence and kidnappings in the capital.