At least 47 individuals lost their lives, and 22 others sustained injuries during a gang assault in a neighborhood overlooking Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, as reported by the United Nations on Monday. The lack of protection against recurring violent attacks has sparked outrage among the populace.
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti cautioned that the casualty estimates are subject to change. Kenscoff’s Mayor, Jean Massillon, disclosed that armed assailants carried out the attack late Sunday, setting ablaze residences and perpetrating killings.
The community perched on a hillside leading into the capital has experienced around twelve assaults by armed gangs since the previous year, compelling numerous residents to flee their homes. Despite efforts by foreign nations to support Haiti’s under-equipped police force, powerful gangs, operating under a broad alliance, have entrenched their control over the capital and extended their reach to neighboring areas.
Following the brutal incident, Haiti’s government condemned the “heinous attack” and pledged to enhance security measures. However, local residents are demanding the resignation of the police chief, accusing the officers of failing to safeguard the victims just minutes away from the police station.
Asserting their commitment to restoring order, the Prime Minister’s office declared on social media, “Kenscoff will not be abandoned. The government’s authority will be reinstated promptly and resolutely.”
In the aftermath of the assault, anguished cries echoed through Kenscoff as survivors encountered the bodies of their loved ones strewn across the streets early Monday. The grief-stricken scene unfolded with one woman lamenting the loss of her son, while another man collapsed in despair on the roadside, surrounded by people attempting to console him.
Residents, including Robert Jean, recounted the harrowing moments of the attack, with many trying to awaken their neighbors to escape the violence. Mathurin Pierre, a 41-year-old farmer, shared the devastating toll on his family, revealing the loss of 14 relatives with several others still unaccounted for.
Mayor Massillon attributed the assault to members of Viv Ansanm, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government last year. Describing the chaos unleashed by the gang, he highlighted the deliberate targeting of a church and residences, including those owned by Dr. Jean (Bill) Pape, a prominent doctor running a healthcare NGO in Haiti.
The pervasive gang control, particularly in Port-au-Prince, with Viv Ansanm repeatedly attacking Kenscoff, has led to a humanitarian crisis displacing 1.5 million Haitians. UN statistics reveal a staggering death toll of over 3,100 individuals and 1,189 injuries reported in Haiti from January to June due to gang-related violence.
The recent assault coincided with the deportation of more than 160 individuals to Haiti by the U.S., following the termination of temporary protected status for Haitians. Concerns have been raised about the safety and feasibility of holding general elections in Haiti on December 13, given the prevailing volatile conditions.
The article has been rewritten for clarity and readability, conveying the tragic events surrounding the violent attack in Haiti’s capital.