A group of gang members armed with automatic rifles carried out a brutal massacre in the town of Pont-Sonde, Haiti, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 people and leaving over 6,000 displaced. The attack, led by Gran Grif gang leader Luckson Elan, was reportedly in retaliation for previous violence against his gang members by police and vigilante groups.
The violence in Haiti has been escalating, with armed gangs controlling much of the capital and spreading to nearby regions, causing widespread hunger and displacement. International support has been slow to materialize, and neighboring countries have been deporting migrants back to Haiti.
The massacre in Pont-Sonde was particularly brutal, with victims shot in the head as gang members went house to house, burning homes and cars. Many families were wiped out, and rumors of the attack had been circulating for months prior.
The Artibonite region has been a hotspot for violence, with residents calling for more protection. The Gran Grif gang has been accused of various crimes including kidnappings, rapes, and murders. Elan, the gang leader, was recently added to the U.N. sanctions list.
The situation in Haiti has resulted in over 700,000 people displaced and severe shortages in food and medical supplies. Despite promises of support, resources have been limited, and efforts to bring in a U.N. peacekeeping mission have faced challenges. The U.N. estimates that thousands have been killed in gang violence, which is fueled by weapons trafficked from the United States.
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