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Escalating Gang Violence in Port-au-Prince Spurs Community and Police Response

Published November 20, 2024
2 months ago

Gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti executed yet another audacious attack in the early hours of Tuesday in the upscale area of Pétionville. This violent outbreak, orchestrated by the notorious Viv Ansanm gang under the leadership of ex-elitist police officer Jimmy Chérizier, known as 'Barbecue,' marks a continuing escalation in gang activities threatening the peace and security of the capital.





The bold assault began as two trucks filled with armed individuals penetrated the serene community. One truck strategically blocked the main entrance, paralyzing movement and causing chaos. This aggressive incursion follows Chérizier's public threat targeting local politics and the protective sanctuary potentially offered by hotels in the area to officials.


The confrontation that ensued was not just between the gang members and police but involved local residents who staunchly defended their neighborhood alongside law enforcement. According to Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for Haiti’s National Police, at least 28 gang members succumbed in the clash, with hundreds of ammunition rounds seized, highlighting the deadly stakes of these frequent insurgencies.


As noted by the United Nations, the extent of gang dominance over Port-au-Prince is alarming, with estimates suggesting that gangs now control about 85% of the city. This spreading influence is largely attributed to the vacuum created by political instability and insufficient local law enforcement capabilities, which have led to persons fleeing their homes and frequent closures of the city’s main international airport.


The arrival of Kenyan police officers meant to stabilize the situation has only partially mitigated the violence, and the U.S. administration is advocating for a UN-backed peacekeeping force to take over due to resource constraints faced by the existing mission. This underscores the international dimension of Haiti’s security dilemma, highlighting the inadequacies in addressing fundamental governance and law enforcement deficiencies.


The reaction from the Pétionville community, which included extreme retaliatory acts against the attackers as reported by eyewitnesses, suggests a populace at its breaking point. This community-driven resistance reflects broader national exhaustion and anger over the continuing deterioration of safety and public order.


Haiti's police force and interim government now face the colossal task of reforming their strategies to protect their citizens and work towards sustainable peace in the nation, with international support sounding more crucial than ever. The intensity and frequency of these gang assaults, however, continue to pose a daunting challenge to both national stability and regional security in the Caribbean.


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