In a devastating act of violence, at least 70 people were killed in a violent gang massacre in Haiti, as armed members of the Gran Grif gang stormed through the agricultural town of Pont-Sonde in the Artibonite region. The attack, which took place in the early hours of Thursday, left the town in ruins as homes and vehicles were set ablaze, and thousands of residents fled in terror. Haiti violent gang massacre: 70 killed marks one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in a country already crippled by widespread violence and gang control.
Deadly Attack in Artibonite
The massacre, which has shocked the Caribbean nation, was led by the Gran Grif gang, notorious for kidnappings, murders, and extortion. According to local authorities, the gang members, armed with automatic rifles, went house to house, shooting victims and setting properties on fire. Many of the victims were shot at close range, some in the head, as the gang showed no mercy.
Gang leader Luckson Elan, who took responsibility for the Haiti violent gang massacre: 70 killed, stated that the attack was in retaliation for civilians remaining passive while vigilante groups and police forces killed several of his gang members. In an audio message shared on social media, Elan blamed the town’s residents and the government for the brutal retaliation. The UN migration agency reported that more than 6,270 people have fled the region, many seeking refuge in the nearby town of Saint-Marc, while others are staying in makeshift camps.
Worsening Conflict in Haiti
Haiti violent gang massacre: 70 killed is yet another grim indicator of the worsening conflict in the country, where gangs control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding regions. The Artibonite region, known as Haiti’s breadbasket for its agricultural production, has increasingly fallen under gang control, with criminal groups extorting farmers and violently displacing residents. The continued expansion of gang territory is fueling hunger and homelessness, pushing hundreds of thousands into a state of severe insecurity.
In response to the massacre, a spokesperson for Haiti’s national police confirmed that the director of police in charge of the Artibonite department has been replaced, and reinforcements have been sent to the region to contain the violence. “For now, reinforcements are at the location to contain the situation, and security forces are in control,” the police spokesperson stated on Friday evening. However, local residents and rights groups argue that the police response has been insufficient and delayed.
Bertide Horace, a spokesperson from the Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission to Save the Artibonite Valley, expressed frustration, saying, “The gang did not meet any resistance.” She revealed that police officers had remained in their stations, likely fearing they would be outgunned by the heavily armed gang members. An armored truck stationed nearby also failed to respond to the attack. Many victims were left to fend for themselves as the gang unleashed terror throughout the town.
Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The Haiti violent gang massacre: 70 killed has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in the country. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have struggled to address the escalating violence and displacement caused by gang control. The UN’s migration agency has warned that more people could be displaced in the coming days as gang violence continues to spread.
Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the attack on social media, describing it as “an odious crime against defenceless women, men, and children.” He added, “This is not only an attack on the victims but against the entire Haitian nation.” Despite these strong words, residents remain fearful, with little hope for justice as Haiti’s legal system remains largely dysfunctional, and mass killings like this one often go unpunished.
Rights organization RNDDH has suggested that the death toll may be higher, as entire families have been wiped out, with some victims still unaccounted for. “At the time of writing, corpses are strewn on the ground as their loved ones have not yet been able to recover them,” RNDDH reported. The organization had warned for months about the possibility of a massacre in the area, following rumors that residents had been helping a vigilante group block gang extortion on the national highway.
A Nation Under Siege
The Haiti violent gang massacre: 70 killed highlights the country’s descent into chaos, with armed gangs running rampant and little resistance from law enforcement. Gran Grif, the gang responsible for this attack, has a history of mass kidnappings, hijackings, and rapes. The leader, Luckson Elan, was recently added to the UN sanctions list, but these measures have done little to curb the violence.
According to the United Nations, no progress has been made in prosecuting those responsible for mass killings since 2021, and several major massacres dating back to 2017 remain unresolved. Some members of the Haitian police force have even been implicated in past killings, further eroding public trust in the state’s ability to maintain law and order.
Conclusion
The Haiti violent gang massacre: 70 killed underscores the deepening crisis in the country, as armed gangs continue to terrorize communities with impunity. As Haiti grapples with escalating violence, hunger, and displacement, the international community must take urgent action to address the root causes of the conflict and provide much-needed support for the country’s beleaguered population.
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