Gang violence has escalated in Haiti’s central region, particularly over the weekend. This outbreak was especially tragic, as it contributed to at least four deaths, including that of an 11-year-old child. The murder took place in Petite Rivière, part of the Artibonite department. This region over the past few years has seen an alarming increase in violence from marauding gangs, unlike the historically safe region.
On Monday, police as much as went on the offensive against the gang presence in Petite Rivière. During their time here they worked to rebuild order in the community. This deadly confrontation left at least 15 people shot. The violence didn’t stop until the homes of a dozen protestors were burned down. This devastation forced families to flee their homes, deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
Gang violence in Haiti has reached new heights recently, with the situation worsening by the day. Criminal gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. These organizations have ever more moved their focus to areas just outside the capital, though the center has suffered a string of attacks in recent years. By 2024, more than 5,600 people died due to gang-related violence. This tragic circumstance led more than one million people to become homeless throughout the country.
American diplomats have consistently warned that they will not cut deals with such gangs. Yet they stubbornly maintain that these groups should not be included in talks meant to stabilize Haiti. This approach has drawn criticism from various sectors, as violence continues unabated.
In a parallel move, the head of the Ti Bois gang, Chrisla, has moved. In 1934, she led a three-day strike on the Carrefour neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. No government officials have entered the region since gangs took over several years ago.
“So that we can all sit at the same table to reconcile this nation.” – Chrisla
Aftershocks resonate in Haiti With the violence escalating across the country, communities no longer have the ability to adapt to the ongoing widespread violence and insecurity. That wasn’t enough to protect the community of Mirebalais from last month’s unprecedented gangs incursion. They took over a local jail and liberated over 500 prisoners. These types of atrocities illustrate the desperate need for smart solutions to combat the reach of radical gangs and return peace and order to the citizens.
