Key facts
- At least 47 people were killed and over 50 kidnapped in a gang raid in Kenscoff, Haiti.
- A gang leader threatened to execute the hostages if security forces continue their offensive.
- The attack occurred on August 23 and involved homes being set on fire.
- The United Nations described the incident as underscoring the alarming security situation in Haiti.
- The Viv Ansanm gang is believed to be responsible for the attack.
At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped in a brutal gang raid in the town of Kenscoff, near Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, on the evening of August 23. The United Nations confirmed the casualty figures and condemned the attack, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres stating it underscores the alarming security situation in Haiti and the urgent need for intensified security efforts against gangs.
Armed men, believed to be from the Viv Ansanm gang, set homes on fire and killed residents, including targeting a church and the home of a public health expert. Residents recounted fleeing over bodies and expressed anger at the government's failure to protect them. One resident described his 16-year-old niece being captured and raped but managing to escape.
In response to the violence, a gang leader identified as Izo 2, who operates in coordination with powerful gang leader Johnson André (alias Izo), posted a video threatening to execute the hostages if any of his men are harmed. The threat was directed at Vladimir Paraison, the acting director of the Haitian National Police.
The Haitian government has vowed to restore its authority in Kenscoff, which holds a strategic position overlooking routes into the capital. Kenscoff has been targeted by gangs multiple times since last year, forcing thousands to flee. The recent violence highlights the challenges in ensuring security ahead of Haiti's planned general election.