Port-au-Prince, Haiti – In a brazen escalation of violence, heavily armed gangs have launched a sustained assault on Kenscoff, a once-secure neighborhood home to Haiti’s political and business elite, leaving at least 40 people dead and displacing over 1,660 residents. The attack, now in its eighth day, marks a grim turning point as criminal groups tighten their grip on the crisis-wracked nation.
A Sanctuary Under Fire
Mayor Jean Massillon told the Associated Press that the Viv Ansanm gang coalition has terrorized Kenscoff since January 27, with gunmen conducting house-to-house raids and firing indiscriminately. “They have surrounded the area,” Massillon warned, pleading for reinforcements. Among the dead are pastors, teachers, and children, though the toll is feared higher as authorities struggle to access parts of the mountainous region.
Kenscoff, nestled in the foothills south of Port-au-Prince, had largely escaped Haiti’s rampant gang violence until now. Many victims are working-class farmers who cultivated crops on the neighborhood’s outskirts. Jean Bertho Valmo, 45, described fleeing with his family after losing 12 relatives and his livelihood. “I invested everything in my crops—cabbage, carrots, broccoli. Now, there’s no food or water for those sheltering here,” he said, urging authorities to “put a stop to this.”
Broader Crisis: Gangs Tighten Grip
The assault follows warnings from Haitian officials and police about imminent attacks, though no specific locations were named. Gangs already control 85% of Port-au-Prince, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently cautioned they could overrun the capital. Nationwide, gang violence has displaced over 1 million people in recent years, per the International Organization for Migration.
Police Union Slams “Negligence”
The SPNH-17 police union condemned the lack of government support, stating the Kenscoff tragedy “could have been avoided” with proper equipment like helicopters, all-terrain vehicles, and intelligence funds. “Our officers are making tireless sacrifices, but we cannot tolerate authorities’ negligence,” the union said, highlighting systemic failures amid officers’ dwindling resources.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
Over 1,660 Kenscoff residents have fled to makeshift shelters, including the mayor’s office, where families face dire shortages of food and water. The attack underscores Haiti’s spiral into chaos, with gangs exploiting power vacuums and targeting once-safe havens.
Final Word: As Kenscoff burns, Haiti’s crisis deepens. The international community faces mounting pressure to intervene, while Haitians demand urgent action to reclaim their streets and futures. Without swift support, the nation’s descent into lawlessness risks becoming irreversible.
“How many more must die before the world acts?” — Jean Bertho Valmo, displaced farmer.
