Haiti Gang Massacre Kills 70 and Injures 30 in Artibonite Region
A devastating gang attack in Haiti's central Artibonite region has resulted in at least 70 fatalities and 30 injuries, according to a human rights group, with nearly 6,000 people forced to flee their homes. This toll significantly exceeds initial official estimates, which reported 16 to 17 deaths and 10 to 19 injuries from police and civil protection authorities.
Human Rights Group Condemns Security Failures
The Collective Defending Human Rights group, which documented the higher casualty figures, described the incident as a "massacre" and criticised the "complete abdication of responsibility by the authorities." They highlighted the lack of a security response and the abandonment of Artibonite to armed groups, underscoring the gravity of Haiti's escalating crisis.
Details of the Attack and Broader Context
Armed members of the Gran Grif gang launched the assault on the Jean-Denis area around 3am on Sunday, as confirmed by local civil protection authorities. This violence follows recent UN reports of over 2,000 people displaced by armed raids in nearby Verrettes, which prompted further flight from Petite-Riviere.
Artibonite, a key agricultural hub often called Haiti's breadbasket, has experienced some of the worst violence as gang conflict spreads beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince. The situation is exacerbated by:
- More than a million people displaced nationwide due to gang violence.
- Close to 20,000 reported killed in Haiti since 2021, with death tolls rising annually.
- Severe food insecurity worsened by the ongoing conflict.
International Responses and Designations
The UN secretary general's spokesperson strongly condemned the attack, urging a thorough investigation and noting it underscores the dire security situation. In March, the US offered a reward of up to $3 million for information on the financial activities of Gran Grif and Viv Ansanm groups, both designated as terrorist organisations by Washington.
Haitian security forces, supported by a UN-backed international mission and a US private military company, have intensified operations against gangs controlling most of Port-au-Prince. However, authorities have yet to arrest a major gang leader, highlighting ongoing challenges in curbing the violence.
