Amid Escalating Violence, Haiti's Citizens Stand Up Against Gangs
At least 25 lives were lost on Tuesday due to intense confrontations between residents, the police, and suspected gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The affluent neighborhood of Pétion-Ville saw residents band together with police to repel a nighttime attack from armed gangs, as reported by local authorities. A correspondent from Reuters noted the grim aftermath, counting at least 25 bodies scattered across the neighborhoods of Delmas, Canapé-Vert, and Pétion-Ville. Disturbingly, some bodies of alleged gang members had been burned beneath flaming car tires.
Deputy police spokesperson Lionel Lazarre indicated that around 30 gang members were also killed during the clashes. "The population stood by the side of the Haitian National Police in these moments," Lazarre stated, affirming their commitment to work collaboratively with citizens to restore order. Following the surge in violence, police officers were seen patrolling the streets of the capital, striving to maintain safety.
According to local radio reports, residents erected barricades and took matters into their own hands, defending their neighborhoods armed with machetes and hammers. One resident, who identified herself as Anara, expressed fear and uncertainty, stating, "Heavily armed individuals had appeared since midnight and no one knew who had sent them. We gave them a clear response: We will not leave."
Reports from local newspapers detailed instances of vigilantism, known locally as 'bwa kale', where citizens took extreme actions against suspected gang members, lynching and burning them alive. As violence escalates, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to discuss the turmoil on Wednesday. The UN has recorded at least 149 cases of vigilante justice between June and September and has raised alarms about potential attacks on innocent civilians.
The ongoing crisis in Haiti is exacerbated by rampant gang violence, extortion, sexual assaults, forced child recruitment, and blockades on crucial supply routes. Amid this tumultuous backdrop, humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced that it would cease all operations in Port-au-Prince and its surroundings starting Wednesday. The decision comes as violent occurrences and threats against MSF staff had increased significantly.
Christophe Garnier, MSF mission leader, stated, "While the organization is accustomed to extreme insecurity, when the police themselves become a threat, there is no choice but to suspend work." This decision followed a deadly attack on one of their ambulances last week, after which police had reportedly halted MSF vehicles and directly threatened staff members, some with death and sexual violence.
MSF has made it clear that its operations will only resume upon receiving security guarantees. The police have opted not to comment on these serious allegations. Haiti's struggles stem not only from gang-related crime but also sufferings from widespread hunger and instability. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gangs have exploited the resulting power vacuum, gaining control over significant portions of Port-au-Prince.
The situation is dire, with the United Nations declaring unprecedented food shortages, affecting approximately five million individuals who are experiencing severe hunger. As the violence continues to surge, the people of Haiti find themselves caught in a devastating struggle for safety and survival.
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