Haiti’s Tragic Violence: A Rise in Gang Killings and Sorcery Accusations

This incident highlights the intertwined crises of gang violence and superstition in Haiti, reflecting the desperation within communities facing conflicts over authority and safety.

At least 110 elderly individuals were brutally killed by gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as reported by the National Human Rights Defence Network (RNDDH). This incident follows the death of a gang leader's son, who fell ill and died, leading to accusations against elderly locals of practicing "witchcraft". In a grim display of violence, the gang reportedly rounded up residents from the Wharf Jérémie area, executing them with knives and guns, leaving the streets littered with mutilated bodies. The UN reports a staggering total of 5,000 killings in Haiti this year alone due to surging gang violence.

Specific details regarding this massacre are still emerging, yet Volker Türk, the UN's human rights chief, stated that violence led by gang leaders has escalated sharply, with at least 184 killings reported over the weekend. The Cité Soleil neighborhood, where the mass killings took place, has been under the control of Monel Felix, also known as Mikano, who leads the Viv Ansanm gang alliance. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that reported casualties included both the targeted elderly and younger residents who attempted to defend them.

The violence follows a brief period of decreased murder rates amidst attempted truces. Still, recent territorial disputes among gangs have caused innocent residents to be targeted increasingly. Another incident prior to this one resulted in 115 residents killed in Pont-Sondé, revealing the grim realities of extortion and resistance in the region.

With gangs controlling approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince, approximately 700,000 people have been displaced, with half of them being children. The situation is dire, as rights groups highlight pervasive abuse, including sexual violence, being used by gangs as a means to instill fear within communities.

Despite the arrival of an international police force led by Kenya, efforts to restore order have been ineffective. The Transitional Presidential Council, responsible for organizing elections in Haiti, appears disorganized and lacks progress, further weakening potential governance. Analysts suggest the current circumstances render hope unattainable for many residents as gang violence and accusations of sorcery continue to dominate life in Haiti.