HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Alex Saintelus, of Henrico County, is remaining hopeful as he works to bring his father back to the United States from Haiti.
Alex Saintelus’ father, Frantzy Saintelus, has been stuck in the Caribbean county for one month after he arrived in Haiti on Feb. 16.
Haiti is currently facing violent turmoil and political unrest as armed gangs have taken control of much of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Violent acts of kidnappings and killings, as well as damage to public and private property have been committed in Haiti.
In recent weeks, gangs have attacked key structures — the Touissant Louverture International Airport along with an attack on the country’s National Penitentiary that released thousands of inmates.
“I’ve been trying to control my emotions because when I let them out, I’m just crying and crying on the floor. And right now, I don’t really have the luxury of doing so,” Alex Saintelus said.
Alex Saintelus has contacted local and state officials in New Hampshire where his father lives. He said the communication with officials has been helpful, and something he is grateful for along with the efforts from the U.S. Department of State.
“The truth is, my father is not going to be able to get out by himself, at least within a reasonable time, to get back to his family and get back to his business,” Saintelus said. “It’s about keeping calm, making sure that he has the right information [and] that I have the right information. So, when it’s time for him to leave, he can do so in the safest manner possible. When it’s time [for him] to leave, there’s going to be danger.”
The danger Alex Saintleus is referring to is the routes his father will have to potentially take if he receives a way back to the U.S. from Haiti. Frantzy Saintelus noted there are multiple gang checkpoints between where he resides in Haiti — the city of Carrefour and the northern area of the capital.
8News had the opportunity to speak to Frantzy Saintelus via a phone call.
“When I was coming [to Haiti], everybody was asking me why I was coming. I’m getting older and to me, it feels like at the times I came [before] it wasn’t this bad, but every year it’s getting worse,” Frantzy Saintelus said. “If I didn’t take the chance to come now, who knows, I probably would have never made it again.”
Alex Saintelus told 8News he is trying to remain positive and take things day by day, however, the unknown is what is frightening.
With a trucking company in New Hampshire, Frantzy Saintelus has financial responsibilities along with his family.
Alex Saintelus is holding onto hope aiding his father in filling out necessary documents to assist in his safe return to the U.S. along with continuing to search for various transportation measures.
Remaining hopeful but thinking of the worse, Alex Saintelus not only fears that his father won’t return, but may die in the county of Haiti.
“I love you, Dad, and I really hope this works…I just want you to get home,” Alex Saintelus said in a message to his father.
