At least 47 individuals lost their lives, and 22 others sustained injuries during a violent incursion by a gang in a neighborhood overlooking Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as reported by the United Nations on Monday. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti mentioned that the casualty figures are subject to updates.
The Mayor of Kenscoff, Jean Massillon, revealed that armed assailants attacked the community late on Sunday, setting ablaze residences and perpetrating fatal assaults on inhabitants. The hillside community, which provides a vantage point over the routes leading into the capital, has endured around twelve attacks by armed gangs in the last year, resulting in the displacement of numerous residents.
Despite efforts by foreign nations to bolster the under-equipped police force, powerful gangs, united under a broad alliance, have maintained control over Haiti’s capital and expanded their influence into neighboring areas. Following the recent tragic events, Haiti’s government condemned the “heinous attack” and vowed to enhance security measures. However, residents expressed outrage at the local police chief, accusing officers of failing to safeguard those who fell victim to the violence just moments away from the police station.
In response to the dire situation, the Prime Minister’s office affirmed on social media that Kenscoff will not be deserted, asserting that the government will swiftly reinstate its authority with unwavering resolve. The aftermath of the attack in Kenscoff left survivors grieving and in shock as they discovered the bodies of their loved ones strewn across the streets. Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes of devastation and loss, with many pointing fingers at the government for its perceived failure to prevent the tragedy through adequate security measures.
The assault was attributed to members of Viv Ansanm, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government last year. The community of Kenscoff has been a recurrent target of Viv Ansanm’s violent activities, exacerbating the already precarious security situation in the region. Gang-related violence has inflicted widespread displacement, with an estimated 1.5 million people uprooted across Haiti. The staggering toll of violence in the country has resulted in over 3,100 reported fatalities and 1,189 injuries in the first half of the year, according to UN data.
The recent attack comes on the heels of the U.S. government’s deportation of over 160 individuals to Haiti, following a legal battle that terminated temporary protected status for some 350,000 Haitians. Amidst these challenges, Haiti is gearing up for general elections for the first time in more than ten years, with experts cautioning about the current perilous conditions that could impede the electoral process.