Police are struggling to access gang-controlled areas in central Haiti following a series of violent attacks that have resulted in at least 16 confirmed deaths over the weekend. A local journalist notes that the death toll may be as high as 20, while human rights groups speculate it could reach 70.
The Gran Grif gang, identified as one of Haiti's most feared criminal organizations, is behind the assaults, which have led to more than 6,000 individuals fleeing their homes in terror.
Gang violence has plagued Haiti for years, and despite a multinational police force sent to regain control, the situation remains precarious, particularly in rural regions like Jean-Denis near Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite.
Witnesses reported a coordinated attack where gang members invaded the village, setting homes ablaze and shooting at locals attempting to escape. Survivors described horrifying scenes, with bodies visible in the aftermath of the chaos.
As reports indicate that at least 19 others sustained bullet wounds and are unable to collect the bodies due to ongoing gang presence, local activists and residents express fears of increased violence and further victimization.
The situation intensifies with the acknowledgment that a notorious gang leader, known as Ti Kenken, who previously was affiliated with vigilante groups, is now reportedly leading the attack. This trend blurs the lines between criminality and alleged community protection, raising deep concerns over increasing violence and instability in Haiti.
Haiti's ongoing struggle with gang violence has seen the Gran Grif organization labeled as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government, highlighting the international dimensions of the crisis and the urgent need for organized intervention in the face of such escalating terror.
