Pont-Sondé, Haiti — A devastating attack by armed gang members in Pont-Sondé, a small town in the central Artibonite region of Haiti, resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals, including children. The United Nations reported that the assault, executed by the notorious Gran Grif gang, also left sixteen people with serious injuries. The town is positioned approximately 71 kilometers north-west of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
During the attack, the gang set ablaze at least 45 homes and 34 vehicles, intensifying the terror among local residents. Eyewitness accounts and video footage captured scenes of people, desperate to evade the violence, fleeing via motorbikes and on foot. A government prosecutor described the violent event as “a massacre.”
This violent episode is a part of a broader crisis within Haiti, where armed gangs have increasingly seized control of territories. Gran Grif, known as one of the country’s most violent gangs, had previously launched an attack on a nearby police station in January 2023, resulting in the deaths of six officers. This gang has also been blamed for the shutdown of a key hospital serving over 700,000 people.
The UN has detailed the myriad of criminal activities attributed to the gang, including murder, rape, robberies, and kidnappings. Notably, both the founder and the current leader of Gran Grif are under U.S. sanctions.
The recent upsurge in gang violence prompted Haitian authorities to declare a state of emergency across the nation nearly a month ago. In response to the escalating security dilemma, Prime Minister Garry Conille has pledged to intensify efforts against the gangs, a stance supported by the United Nations’ call for a “robust use of force.”
In support of these efforts, the United Nations has endorsed a policing mission, consisting of 2,500 international officers. This cohort includes a significant contribution of 1,000 officers from Kenya. The mission, initiated in June, aims to restore order and safety in Haiti by disrupting gang control. The deployment is set for one year, with a scheduled review after nine months to assess progress.
The chaotic and distressing atmosphere in Pont-Sondé following the attack highlights the dire security and humanitarian situation that grips much of Haiti. The international community’s involvement through the policing mission underscores the severity of the crisis, reflecting concerted efforts to aid the Haitian government in restoring stability and protecting its citizens.