In a shocking and devastating attack, gang members armed with automatic rifles stormed through the town of Pont-Sonde in Haiti’s breadbasket region, killing at least 70 people and forcing over 6,000 to flee their homes. The Gran Grif gang leader, Luckson Elan, claimed responsibility for the massacre, citing retaliation for civilian passivity in response to the killing of his soldiers by police and vigilante groups.
The attack resulted in severe injuries to many individuals, with thousands seeking shelter in neighboring towns and makeshift camps due to the violence and destruction caused by the gang members. Security forces were mobilized to reinforce the area and contain the situation, but the lack of resistance from police and failed attempts to intervene highlighted the escalating conflict and lack of protection for residents.
The Artibonite region has been particularly impacted by gang violence, with the Gran Grif gang accused of numerous atrocities including mass kidnappings, rapes, murders, and forcible land evictions. The World Food Programme linked gang activities in the region to food shortages and rising prices, exacerbating the already dire food insecurity affecting millions of Haitians.
Despite promises of international support, Haiti has received limited assistance in addressing the escalating crisis, with a U.N.-backed mission struggling to restore order and provide necessary aid. The country’s fragile infrastructure and ongoing conflict with armed gangs have created a humanitarian disaster, with widespread displacement, shortages of essential supplies, and continued violence threatening the lives and well-being of the population. The U.N. has called for urgent action to address the crisis and provide the support needed to prevent further loss of life and suffering in Haiti.
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