Ganthier, Haiti — A ferocious assault by the notorious 400 Mawozo gang in Ganthier, located about 19 miles east of Port-au-Prince, has left the community in chaos with at least two reported deaths and several people missing. The gang, infamous for its brutal tactics, ignited numerous fires, destroying the local police station and a customs control center, and dozens of residents were forced to evacuate their homes.
The rampage, which started on Saturday evening in the nearby Tremblay area and carried into Ganthier by Sunday, led to automatic gunfire reverberating across the town. This attack follows close after a three-day operation led by Haiti’s police and armed forces aimed at curbing the gang’s influence in their stronghold of Croix-des-Bouquets. Despite these efforts, the gang continued to extend its terror under the leadership of Wilson “Lanmò San Jou” Joseph.
In response, Ganthier’s Mayor, Jean Vilonaire Victor, expressed a cautious hope that the community would prevail over the violence and not succumb to gang rule. “The city will not fall into the hands of bandits,” Victor assured during a conversation with reporters, adamant that law and order could be restored. His remarks came amid ongoing battles with the gang members who continue to exert influence over the area.
Residents describe a grim reality where the rule of law is overshadowed by gang dominance. “The armed gangs are still here; they are the ones who make the law,” a local resident shared anonymously, highlighting the pervasive fear and instability.
The 400 Mawozo gang is part of a broader coalition known as “Viv Ansanm,” responsible for spreading violence throughout the region. This latest onslaught in Ganthier coincides with similar recent violent incidents in Gressier and Carrefour, which tragically culminated in 28 fatalities.
Prior to the assault, a social media video surfaced showing gang leader Lanmò San Jou boasting about acquiring new weapons and ammunition, signaling a potential escalation in their operations. This disturbing revelation coincided with warnings from the Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) about potential attacks, particularly targeting the Ganthier police station. Although the union called for substantial support from both local and national authorities, their pleas for assistance could not prevent the subsequent destruction.
This uprising has prompted vociferous calls for action from union officials and community leaders. The union has particularly criticized the lack of decisive action from the new PNH director general, Rameau Normil, urging immediate and effective measures to address the unchecked expansion of gang territories.
Amid these crises, the Haitian administration has initiated a one-month state of security emergency in several parts of the country affected by gang violence, with Gantry included. The government aims to reestablish control and commence significant anti-gang operations. Prime Minister Garry Conille underscored the urgency of these measures, declaring a readiness to implement decisive steps to combat the ongoing insecurity.
These unfolding events, marked by violence and an urgent call for order, illustrate the dire security challenges facing Haiti as it grapples with powerful gang networks that exploit the nation’s prevailing instability. The hope for stability remains contingent on the effectiveness of government response and international cooperation in the days ahead.