Newsweek

Police Battle Gangs Attempting to Seize Haitian Capital

Police and residents successfully defended Haiti's wealthy hillside neighborhood of Pétion-Ville, located near the capital, Port-au-Prince, from an overnight gang attack. A reported 28 gang members were found dead following the fight.

Reuters

Miamiherald

Residents mobilized self-defense groups, some armed with machetes and hammers, barricading the streets. They also lynched some of the suspected gang members, including by beheading them and setting them on fire.

According to a police spokesman, authorities halted trucks suspected of transporting gang members and seized ammunition, a drone, and at least two AK-47s. Police also killed ten gang members while residents helped track down the remaining ones.

The attack was led by Jimmy Chérizier, known as "Barbecue," a former police officer-turned gang leader who orchestrates violent attacks in Port-au-Prince. His gang, His gang, Viv Ansanm, has expanded its control across the city to challenge political elites and exploit the governance vacuum in Haiti.

This comes as Haiti faces a political crisis, including having three prime ministers just in 2024. Despite a $600M US-funded Kenyan police force deployed to the Caribbean nation, the 400-officer force has struggled against the gangs, who have left 4K people dead.

The New York Times

Doctors Without Borders, which provides free treatment to Haiti, has also halted its services in Port-au-Prince because of rape and death threats. The UN Security Council will address Haiti's escalated violence on Wednesday.

The Hill

Newsweek #3600

Reuters #

Newsweek #6598

The New York Times #

The Hill #

Just days after PM Fils-Aimé's inauguration, violence has spiraled out of control, with Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier's gang forcing 20K more from their homes in a week. Over 700K are now displaced, and aid delivery has become too dangerous. With insufficient police to restore order, Haiti faces a deepening humanitarian crisis. The world must act urgently to provide the help Haiti desperately needs.

The Haitian Times

The Haitian Times #

At least 28 gang members killed in Pétion-Ville, igniting violence and fear across Port-au-Prince

ReliefWeb

ReliefWeb #

The United Nations and their humanitarian partners are providing lifesaving assistance to thousands of Haitians affected by armed violence - Haiti

There is a 69% chance Haiti will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Which of these nations will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040?

Guerinault Louis / Contributor / Anadolu via Getty Images***PLEASE REPLACE WATERMARKED IMAGE***

More than two dozen killed after attempted attack on Haiti suburb

Coal

Haiti

Kenya

Violence & assaults

Politics

Haiti should critically evaluate Western calls for intervention, as historically, Western powers, particularly the US, have exerted control over the country to sustain economic systems reliant on low-wage labor. Many so-called "gangs" are really freedom fighters opposing a Western-backed oligarchy. Labeling them as criminals perpetuates chaos that benefits foreign interests while keeping Haitians impoverished and reliant on exploitative economic structures.

More than two dozen killed after attempted attack on Haiti suburb

More than two dozen killed after attempted attack on Haiti suburb

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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More than two dozen killed after attempted attack on Haiti suburb

More than two dozen killed after attempted attack on Haiti suburb

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Articles on this story

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