Ganthier, Haiti — In a violent outbreak on Sunday, the dreaded 400 Mawozo gang unleashed terror in the commune of Ganthier, located approximately 19 miles east of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The attack resulted in at least two fatalities, with several others missing as the gang ravaged the town, setting ablaze the local police station, a customs control center, and numerous homes.
The violent spree began on Saturday evening in the nearby Tremblay area of the Croix-des-Bouquets district before spreading to Ganthier. Despite the chaos, Ganthier’s Mayor Jean Vilonaire Victor expressed determination that the town would not succumb to gang rule. “The city will not fall into the hands of bandits,” Victor asserted amid the crisis.
The onslaught continued into Sunday with sustained gunfire reported throughout Ganthier, heightening the terror. The local police and several residents were compelled to evacuate their homes and escape the engulfing violence.
The assault in Ganthier came on the heels of a major operation involving Haitian police and armed forces aimed at containing the gang’s influence in the croix-des-Bouquets region — a known stronghold of the 400 Mawozo. Despite their efforts over the weekend, clashes with the gang members persisted.
The brutal attacks are part of a broader surge in violence orchestrated by the coalition of gangs known as “Viv Ansanm,” which the 400 Mawozo gang is affiliated with. This wave of unrest followed closely behind similarly deadly attacks in the towns of Gressier and Carrefour, further escalating concerns over security in the region.
In a disturbing video circulated on social media just days before the attacks, the gang’s leader, known as Lanmò San Jou, flaunted new acquisitions of weapons and ammunition, signaling potential escalations.
In response to this ongoing crisis, the Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) had earlier issued a warning about the vulnerability of Ganthier’s police presence, requesting reinforcements. However, help arrived too late to prevent the gang’s destructive path through the town.
Union spokespeople have publicly criticized the inadequacies in leadership and preparedness that allowed the gang to overpower local authorities, leading to significant losses. They are urgently calling on the Haitian police’s new director general, Rameau Normil, for effective and decisive action to curb the escalating gang activities.
In the wake of these events, Haiti’s government declared a state of security emergency for one month in several parts of the country, including municipalities in the West and Artibonite departments. The declaration forms part of a larger effort to restore order and begin operations to reclaim territories held by gangs.
During this declaration, Prime Minister Garry Conille voiced an optimistic outlook, backed by the presidential council, promising a robust set of measures aimed at combating insecurity and restoring peace. “These initiatives will mark a significant turning point in our struggle against this ongoing crisis,” Conille affirmed.
As the community of Ganthier and the wider Haitian populace brace for more definitive actions against these criminal enterprises, the recent state of emergency reaffirms the nations’ resolve to confront and overcome the grave challenges posed by rampant gang violence.