Police are trying to reach a gang-controlled area in central Haiti where at least 16 people have been killed in a series of attacks over the weekend. While so far only 16 fatalities have been confirmed by police, a local journalist spoke of 'around 20 dead', while one human rights group warned that the number of fatalities could be as high as 70.
Local rights activists said the Gran Grif gang, one of Haiti's most feared criminal organisations, was behind the deadly attacks, which they said had caused 6,000 people to flee. Gang violence has ravaged the Caribbean country for years and the multinational police force sent to contain it has struggled to enter areas where gangs hold sway.
Residents of the rural area of Jean-Denis, near the town of Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite, reported that gang members had 'arrived from all directions', setting houses alight and shooting at those fleeing from the flames. Survivors described finding bodies strewn on the road the next morning, with reports of a second deadly attack occurring on Monday.
So far, 16 bodies have been taken to nearby morgues, but with gang members still roaming the area, many locals are too afraid to collect the remains. The ombudsman's office reported at least another 19 people had sustained bullet wounds, adding that the continued presence of gang members was making it difficult to verify the number of victims.
Experts warn that the attack appears to have been highly coordinated with roads reportedly blocked to prevent police from intervening, raising concerns about the failure to act on prior warnings. The attack is believed to have been led by a commander known as 'Ti Kenken,' who has switched his allegiance from a vigilante group to Gran Grif. This shift raises questions about the potential risks of escalating violence and fragmentation in the region as leaders move fluidly between roles as vigilantes, criminals, and police allies.
This is not the first time residents of Artibonite have been the targets of gang violence. In October 2024, Gran Grif members attacked the town of Pont-Sondé, resulting in over 100 deaths as more bodies were discovered in the aftermath. The group has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States, highlighting its significant role in Haiti's ongoing instability and violence.
The multinational police force (MSS) deployed in 2024 has often found itself outgunned and outmanned, with a new UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) set to replace MSS, with arrival expected in April.
Local rights activists said the Gran Grif gang, one of Haiti's most feared criminal organisations, was behind the deadly attacks, which they said had caused 6,000 people to flee. Gang violence has ravaged the Caribbean country for years and the multinational police force sent to contain it has struggled to enter areas where gangs hold sway.
Residents of the rural area of Jean-Denis, near the town of Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite, reported that gang members had 'arrived from all directions', setting houses alight and shooting at those fleeing from the flames. Survivors described finding bodies strewn on the road the next morning, with reports of a second deadly attack occurring on Monday.
So far, 16 bodies have been taken to nearby morgues, but with gang members still roaming the area, many locals are too afraid to collect the remains. The ombudsman's office reported at least another 19 people had sustained bullet wounds, adding that the continued presence of gang members was making it difficult to verify the number of victims.
Experts warn that the attack appears to have been highly coordinated with roads reportedly blocked to prevent police from intervening, raising concerns about the failure to act on prior warnings. The attack is believed to have been led by a commander known as 'Ti Kenken,' who has switched his allegiance from a vigilante group to Gran Grif. This shift raises questions about the potential risks of escalating violence and fragmentation in the region as leaders move fluidly between roles as vigilantes, criminals, and police allies.
This is not the first time residents of Artibonite have been the targets of gang violence. In October 2024, Gran Grif members attacked the town of Pont-Sondé, resulting in over 100 deaths as more bodies were discovered in the aftermath. The group has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States, highlighting its significant role in Haiti's ongoing instability and violence.
The multinational police force (MSS) deployed in 2024 has often found itself outgunned and outmanned, with a new UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) set to replace MSS, with arrival expected in April.
