At least 70 people have been killed and around 30 others injured following a violent gang attack in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to a human rights organization. The assault, which targeted rural communities near Petite-Rivière, is one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s ongoing wave of gang violence.
Deadly Attack Leaves Communities Devastated
The attack began in the early hours of Sunday and continued into Monday, with armed gang members storming villages around Jean-Denis. Witnesses reported that homes were set ablaze as residents were attacked, forcing many to flee for safety.
The death toll reported by rights groups is significantly higher than initial official estimates, which had placed fatalities at fewer than 20. The violence has also left at least 30 people wounded, adding pressure on already strained local healthcare services.
Thousands Displaced Amid Growing Crisis
The massacre has triggered a large-scale humanitarian crisis, with approximately 6,000 people forced to leave their homes. Even before the attack, thousands had already been displaced due to ongoing gang activity in the region.
Entire communities have been left abandoned, with families seeking refuge in safer areas as fear spreads across the countryside. The Artibonite region, known as Haiti’s agricultural hub, has increasingly become a hotspot for violent clashes between armed groups.
Gang Violence Continues to Escalate
The нападение is believed to be linked to the powerful Gran Grif gang, which has been involved in multiple large-scale attacks in the region. The group is accused of retaliatory violence against rival factions, further intensifying instability.
Haiti’s security forces have struggled to contain the situation, facing limited resources and growing gang influence. Despite international support efforts, large parts of the country remain under the control of armed groups, with violence spreading beyond the capital into rural areas.
