At least 47 individuals lost their lives, and 22 others sustained injuries during a violent incursion by a gang in a neighborhood overlooking the capital city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti mentioned that these figures are subject to change.
According to Jean Massillon, the mayor of Kenscoff, armed assailants attacked the community late on Sunday, setting ablaze residences and causing fatalities. This hillside community, which has faced a series of armed gang assaults since last year, has forced numerous residents to flee their homes.
Despite efforts by foreign nations to support the under-equipped police force in Haiti, powerful gangs, operating under a broad alliance, have maintained control over the capital and its neighboring regions for an extended period. Following the recent attack, the government of Haiti condemned the “heinous attack” and pledged to enhance security measures. However, local residents expressed dissatisfaction with the police chief, alleging a failure to protect the victims who were killed just minutes away from the police station.
The Prime Minister’s office reassured the public via social media that Kenscoff will not be abandoned, emphasizing the swift restoration of government authority without any compromise.
Witnesses in Kenscoff recounted the harrowing scenes following the attack, with cries of grief filling the air as survivors discovered the bodies of their loved ones strewn across the streets. The devastating aftermath left many residents in shock and anguish, with families mourning the loss of multiple members.
Massillon attributed the violence to members of Viv Ansanm, a group classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government last year. The attack targeted various locations, including a church and residences, with notable figures like Dr. Jean (Bill) Pape, a prominent doctor running a healthcare NGO in Haiti, also affected.
Gang-related activities, particularly those orchestrated by Viv Ansanm, have plagued Kenscoff and the wider Port-au-Prince area, where gangs control an alarming 70% of the city. The surge in gang violence has displaced a staggering 1.5 million individuals across Haiti, leading to a significant loss of life and injuries, as reported by UN data.
The tragic incident unfolded shortly after the U.S. deported over 160 individuals to Haiti, following the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians. The deported individuals included TPS holders legally employed in the U.S. and some individuals of Haitian origin. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security mentioned that among the deportees were several gang members with criminal backgrounds.
Amidst these challenges, Haiti is gearing up for general elections scheduled for December 13, marking the first such electoral event in over a decade. However, concerns have been raised by experts regarding the safety and feasibility of conducting elections in the current volatile environment.
