Armed gang massacres 20 in Haiti

Haiti.- An armed gang, Gran Griff, killed at least 20 people in their sleep during an attack in Petite Rivière, Artibonite, central Haiti, between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. The gang, led by Luckson Elan and allegedly supported by former MP Prophane Victor, invaded homes, brutally killing men, women, and children. “The images are extremely cruel,” said André Saint-Louis, general coordinator of the Artibonite Peace Initiative Committee (Kilba).

The massacre was reportedly in retaliation for the community’s resistance and the Haitian National Police’s (PNH) efforts to regain control of the area. Progress has been seen with the police reclaiming former gang-controlled areas like Carrefour Peille and re-establishing their presence in Petite Rivière, allowing some residents to return to their homes and fields. However, the Gran Griff gang, active since 2018, continues to wreak havoc with kidnappings, assaults, and killings, leaving many bodies burned or discarded in rivers.

Residents are calling on the PNH to dismantle the gang’s stronghold before January 2025, envisioning a future of peace and independence. The Gran Griff gang has been linked to other atrocities, including the massacre of 115 people in Pont Sondé in October and 180 in Cité Soleil last week, highlighting the ongoing insecurity plaguing Haiti.