At least 70 people have been killed in a brutal gang attack in Pont-Sonde, a town in Haiti’s Artibonite region, leading to the displacement of over 6,000 residents. The early morning assault, which took place on Thursday, saw members of the Gran Grif gang armed with automatic rifles storming the area, resulting in a tragic loss of life and widespread chaos.
The attack has been attributed to gang leader Luckson Elan, who claimed it was a retaliatory strike against civilians who remained passive while police and vigilante groups targeted his gang members. The United Nations migration agency reported that approximately 6,270 individuals were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge with relatives in nearby towns such as Saint-Marc, while others have found shelter in makeshift camps.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of devastation, with gang members setting fire to homes and vehicles as they moved through the streets. Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the violence as an “odious crime” against innocent civilians, emphasizing the need for reinforced security measures in the affected areas. Following the attack, there has been a change in the leadership of the Artibonite police department, as authorities responded to the escalating violence.
The Pont-Sonde massacre is one of the deadliest incidents in Haiti in recent years, exacerbating the already dire security situation in the country. Armed gangs have increasingly taken control of areas outside the capital, Port-au-Prince, causing widespread hunger and homelessness among the population. Reports indicate that many residents were left vulnerable as police officers failed to respond effectively, remaining in their stations during the attack.
Human rights organizations have expressed grave concerns, with reports suggesting the death toll could be higher, as entire families were reportedly wiped out during the rampage. The RNDDH, a local rights group, noted that corpses remain scattered across the area, as relatives have been unable to retrieve their loved ones.
The Gran Grif gang is notorious for a range of violent activities, including mass kidnappings, extortion, and assaults on farmers. Elan was recently added to the UN sanctions list, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by gangs in Haiti. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the UN has warned of severe shortages in food and medical supplies due to gang interference with aid distribution.
Despite promises of international support, Haiti has received limited resources, further complicating efforts to stabilize the situation. The UN has estimated that nearly 700,000 people have been internally displaced due to ongoing gang violence, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated response to the crisis.
