Additional Coverage:
Haitian Gang Massacre Shocks Nation
A brutal attack by armed gang members in the town of Pont-Sonde, Haiti, has left at least 70 people dead and over 6,000 displaced. The Gran Grif gang, led by Luckson Elan, claimed responsibility, blaming civilians for supporting police and vigilante groups.
Homes and vehicles were set ablaze during the assault, which residents say was carried out with no resistance from local authorities. Many victims were shot in the head, leaving bodies scattered on the ground.
The massacre highlights the worsening conflict in Haiti, where armed gangs control much of the capital and are expanding to other areas. Gang violence has fueled hunger and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Despite international pledges of support, Haiti has received only a fraction of the promised resources. A UN-backed mission deployed to assist the understaffed police is severely underfunded, and nearby countries have continued to deport migrants back to Haiti.
The death toll from gang violence in Haiti since January is estimated to be over 3,600, and the UN believes gangs are heavily armed with guns trafficked from the United States. The situation has left Haitians in dire need of humanitarian aid, with food and medical supplies running low due to gang blockades.