Escalating Gang Violence and Police Inaction Fuel Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

The escalating gang violence in Haiti reached a critical juncture with the sustained assault on Kenscoff, a neighborhood previously considered a safe haven for the country’s elite. This attack, orchestrated by the formidable Viv Ansanm gang alliance, underscores the pervasive reach of criminal organizations and exposes the glaring inadequacies within the Haitian National Police, particularly in planning, coordination, and resource allocation. The brazen assault, which commenced on January 27th, 2024, tragically claimed the lives of at least 40 individuals, including pastors, teachers, and children. The actual death toll, however, is feared to be significantly higher as authorities struggle to access besieged areas within the neighborhood. The attack has also triggered a mass displacement, with over 1,660 people rendered homeless, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis gripping the nation. The Kenscoff attack starkly contradicts recent pronouncements by acting government leader Leslie Voltaire, who optimistically projected 2025 as the year gangs would be pushed back. The grim reality on the ground paints a drastically different picture, with gangs exhibiting emboldened aggression and expanding their control over swathes of the country.

The unfolding tragedy in Kenscoff highlights the alarming vulnerability of even the most secure areas in Haiti to gang violence. The Viv Ansanm gang, operating with impunity, engaged in door-to-door attacks, indiscriminately shooting residents and spreading terror throughout the community. While the neighborhood is known for housing affluent politicians and business leaders, the primary victims of this assault were working-class residents, including farmers cultivating the outskirts of Kenscoff. These individuals, who represent the backbone of the local economy, have lost their livelihoods, their homes, and in many cases, their lives. This attack serves as a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of gang violence, impacting all segments of Haitian society, regardless of social standing or economic status. The unchecked expansion of gang influence threatens to further destabilize the nation and deepen the existing humanitarian crisis.

The brazen nature of the Kenscoff attack, occurring despite prior intelligence warnings, has drawn sharp criticism from Prime Minister Alix Dider Fils-Aimé, who censured law enforcement agencies for their failure to prevent the assault. Human rights advocate Marie Yolène Gilles echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the attack could have been averted, citing the gangs’ open pronouncements of their plans on social media. This lack of preparedness and proactive response from the police underscores the systemic issues plaguing the institution, including a severe lack of resources, inadequate training, and pervasive corruption. The situation is further complicated by the gangs’ sophisticated use of social media for communication, coordination, and intimidation, which appears to have outpaced the police’s ability to monitor and react effectively.

Adding to the growing sense of frustration and desperation is the apparent lack of support and protection provided to the residents of Kenscoff. Despite curfews and reassurances from the police, gangs have effectively taken control of significant portions of the neighborhood, establishing a base of operations within a local church. The population remains trapped in a perilous situation, with limited access to basic necessities and constantly fearing for their lives. The harrowing accounts of survivors, such as Jean Bertho Valmo, a 45-year-old farmer who witnessed the brutal murder of 12 members of a single family, illustrate the horrific reality faced by those caught in the crossfire. Valmo’s plight, having lost his entire crop and forced to flee his home with his family, reflects the devastating economic and social consequences of the escalating gang violence.

The police union, SPNH-17, has publicly expressed its concerns, highlighting the severe resource constraints faced by officers on the ground. The union emphasized that the Kenscoff attack “could have been avoided” if officers had access to essential equipment, including a helicopter, an all-terrain vehicle, and adequate intelligence funding. Their statement underscored the “tireless sacrifices” made by police officers operating under extremely challenging conditions, while simultaneously criticizing the “negligence of the authorities” in prioritizing the safety of both officers and the population. The lack of a public response from Haitian law enforcement leadership following this statement further underscores the apparent disconnect between those on the front lines and those in positions of power.

The Kenscoff attack is not an isolated incident but rather a stark illustration of the escalating gang crisis engulfing Haiti. Gangs already control an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince, and last month, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a grave warning that gangs could soon overrun the entire capital. The arrival of 217 Kenyan police officers as part of a UN-backed mission to combat gang violence and restore stability offers a glimmer of hope, but the scale of the challenge remains immense. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and coordinated international response to address the root causes of gang violence, strengthen Haitian institutions, and provide much-needed humanitarian aid to the suffering population. The failure to act decisively will have devastating consequences for the future of Haiti and could further destabilize the entire region.