PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Heavily armed gangs in Haiti have launched an assault on Kenscoff, a neighborhood known for housing much of the country’s elite and previously considered largely safe from criminal activity. The attack has resulted in at least 40 deaths, with police urgently requesting assistance to repel the assault.
Mayor Jean Massillon told The Associated Press on Monday, “It’s been eight days since Kenscoff has been under attack.” He attributed the violence to the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, whose gunmen have been going door to door, opening fire indiscriminately. The situation remains dire as authorities struggle to regain control and protect residents from the ongoing violence.
Mayor Jean Massillon described the situation as dire, stating, “As we speak, they have surrounded the area,” while urgently calling for reinforcements. The confirmed death toll includes pastors, teachers, and children, though the number is expected to rise as authorities have been unable to access certain parts of the neighborhood. Kenscoff is home to many politicians, business leaders, and working-class individuals who tend crops on the outskirts, in the foothills of a nearby mountain range.
The gangs have already gained control of 85% of Port-au-Prince, and the United Nations Secretary-General warned last month that they could soon overrun the entire capital. The attack on Kenscoff comes just days after the government and police issued warnings of possible assaults in the capital, though they did not specify the locations of potential attacks. The growing violence has left the community reeling as they await support.
Jean Bertho Valmo, a 45-year-old farmer who fled Kenscoff, shared with The Associated Press that 12 members of his family were among those killed in the attack. He described waking up to another round of gunfire early Monday morning, prompting him and his family to seek refuge in the yard of the mayor’s office, along with dozens of other residents.
“There is not enough water and food for everyone,” Valmo said, adding that he had lost his crops of cabbage, carrots, and broccoli, which he had invested everything into. “I invested everything I had in them,” he lamented. He also called on the police and government to take immediate action to end the violence.
The assault on Kenscoff, which began on January 27, has left over 1,660 people homeless, according to the International Organization for Migration. The situation continues to worsen as more residents are displaced and resources remain scarce.
Gang violence in Haiti has displaced over one million people in recent years, with the situation worsening across the country. On Friday, the police union SPNH-17 issued a statement, criticizing the authorities for failing to adequately equip law enforcement to handle the escalating violence. The union argued that the attack on Kenscoff could have been prevented if police had better resources, including helicopters, all-terrain vehicles, and the funding needed to gather intelligence.
“Despite these bad conditions, our policemen are making tireless sacrifices,” the union said, “but we cannot tolerate the negligence of the authorities on what must be done to protect their lives and the safety of the population.” This call highlights the ongoing struggles of Haitian law enforcement to combat gang violence without the necessary tools and support
