At least 20 people, including children, have lost their lives following an armed attack by a gang in a small town in Haiti. The incident occurred in Pont-Sondé, located in the central Artibonite region, approximately 71 km (44 miles) northwest of Port-au-Prince, resulting in another 50 individuals wounded as members of the Gran Grif gang wreaked havoc.
Video footage depicts frightened residents fleeing the chaos on foot and motorbikes. A government prosecutor referred to the event as “a massacre,” according to the Associated Press.
Haiti has seen armed gangs seize control of extensive areas, prompting a UN-backed policing mission, spearheaded by officers from Kenya, to begin in June to restore order. The exact death toll remains uncertain, with local media reporting over 50 fatalities, while a Haitian human rights group estimates at least 20.
Gran Grif is recognized as one of Haiti’s most violent gangs. In January 2023, its members were accused of assaulting a police station near Pont-Sondé, resulting in the deaths of six officers. The gang is also responsible for forcing the closure of a hospital serving more than 700,000 residents.
With approximately 100 members, Gran Grif has faced accusations of murder, rape, robbery, and kidnapping, as detailed in a UN report referenced by the AP. Both its founder and current leader face US sanctions.
This violent outburst arrives nearly a month after Haitian authorities expanded a state of emergency nationwide. Prime Minister Garry Conille has pledged to combat the gangs, with the UN advocating for a “robust use of force.”
The UN has sanctioned a policing mission comprising 2,500 officers from multiple countries, including 1,000 from Kenya. Their deployment has been approved for one year, with a review scheduled after nine months.