This brutal massacre occurred in Port-au-Prince, as gang members acted on the orders of a local gang leader, targeting vulnerable residents after a personal tragedy.
Haiti's Gang Violence Claims 110 Lives Accused of Witchcraft
Haiti's Gang Violence Claims 110 Lives Accused of Witchcraft
In a shocking act of cruelty, gang violence in Haiti has escalated, leaving over 100 individuals dead, primarily the elderly, accused of witchcraft.
As gang-related violence spirals out of control in Haiti, a recent massacre has left at least 110 people, predominantly elderly individuals, dead in Port-au-Prince. Human rights group, the National Human Rights Defence Network (RNDDH), revealed that the killings were incited by a local gang leader who blamed these individuals for the mysterious illness and subsequent death of his son. Following the advice of a voodoo priest, the gang leader, Monel Felix, known as Mikano, launched a violent attack against local residents, accusing them of practicing "witchcraft."
The United Nations reported an alarming increase in gang violence in Haiti, stating that over 5,000 individuals have lost their lives in the ongoing turmoil this year alone. The massacre reportedly began over the weekend in the Cité Soleil neighborhood where gang members stormed homes in the Wharf Jérémie area, capturing individuals over the age of 60, and violently executing them with firearms, knives, and machetes. Eyewitness accounts detailed horrific scenes of mutilated bodies being burned in the streets, with estimates indicating that around 60 victims were murdered on Friday and approximately 50 more on Saturday.
Despite the grim statistics, local media suggest that the gang's violent actions also targeted younger individuals attempting to protect the elderly. Mikano's gang is part of the larger Viv Ansanm alliance, which exerts control over significant parts of the capital. This ongoing gang violence has turned the area into a fortress, allowing Mikano's group to restrict residents' movements and delay the dissemination of news regarding the massacre.
The brutality follows a period of relative calm after a temporary truce among rival gangs, but recent attempts by those gangs to expand their territory have led to violent confrontations, particularly against innocent civilians. With gang members reportedly controlling around 85% of Port-au-Prince, the situation for ordinary Haitians remains dire. The International Organization for Migration has estimated that over 700,000 people, including many children, have been displaced due to gang violence.
While international efforts, including a Multinational Security Support Mission led by Kenya, have been initiated to restore order, they have yet to make significant strides against the heavily armed gangs. Adding to the nation's woes, the Transitional Presidential Council that was expected to promote democratic processes seems paralyzed and ineffective in the face of rising violence, leaving Haitians fearing for their safety and future.
The United Nations reported an alarming increase in gang violence in Haiti, stating that over 5,000 individuals have lost their lives in the ongoing turmoil this year alone. The massacre reportedly began over the weekend in the Cité Soleil neighborhood where gang members stormed homes in the Wharf Jérémie area, capturing individuals over the age of 60, and violently executing them with firearms, knives, and machetes. Eyewitness accounts detailed horrific scenes of mutilated bodies being burned in the streets, with estimates indicating that around 60 victims were murdered on Friday and approximately 50 more on Saturday.
Despite the grim statistics, local media suggest that the gang's violent actions also targeted younger individuals attempting to protect the elderly. Mikano's gang is part of the larger Viv Ansanm alliance, which exerts control over significant parts of the capital. This ongoing gang violence has turned the area into a fortress, allowing Mikano's group to restrict residents' movements and delay the dissemination of news regarding the massacre.
The brutality follows a period of relative calm after a temporary truce among rival gangs, but recent attempts by those gangs to expand their territory have led to violent confrontations, particularly against innocent civilians. With gang members reportedly controlling around 85% of Port-au-Prince, the situation for ordinary Haitians remains dire. The International Organization for Migration has estimated that over 700,000 people, including many children, have been displaced due to gang violence.
While international efforts, including a Multinational Security Support Mission led by Kenya, have been initiated to restore order, they have yet to make significant strides against the heavily armed gangs. Adding to the nation's woes, the Transitional Presidential Council that was expected to promote democratic processes seems paralyzed and ineffective in the face of rising violence, leaving Haitians fearing for their safety and future.
