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Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Outrage is growing in Haiti following a massacre in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood of Cité Soleil, where at least 180 people, primarily elderly residents, were killed in a gang-led attack. Citizens, activists, and international observers are demanding greater accountability and action from Haitian authorities and the international community to address the root causes of such violence.
The killings, reportedly carried out under the orders of gang leader Monel “Mikano” Felix, have sent shockwaves through the nation, highlighting the unchecked rise of gang control in some of Haiti’s most vulnerable communities. The attack targeted elderly residents accused of practicing witchcraft, a claim linked to local superstitions.
Calls for justice and accountability
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé condemned the massacre, describing it as a “red line” that must not be crossed. In a statement, he vowed to mobilize all available resources to capture Felix and his accomplices, emphasizing that the government would ensure justice for the victims.
However, many Haitians remain skeptical of these promises. The government’s repeated inability to contain gang violence has eroded public trust, leaving communities feeling abandoned. “We hear the same words after every tragedy,” said Marie-Josée Delatour, a community activist in Port-au-Prince. “But the violence continues, and we don’t see the action we need.”
Gang control and limited state authority
The massacre is the latest example of the growing power of armed gangs in Haiti. Felix’s gang reportedly controls large areas of Wharf Jérémie, La Saline, and Fort Dimanche. These groups engage in extortion, theft, and violent attacks, operating with near impunity due to the weakened capacity of the Haitian National Police.
Residents of Cité Soleil describe living in a constant state of fear. “We have no protection,” said one local who wished to remain anonymous. “These gangs control everything, and the government cannot stop them.”
International response
The massacre has prompted renewed calls for international support to help stabilize Haiti. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killings as a “horrific act” and urged member states to provide financial and logistical support for the Multinational Security Support mission, which was approved earlier this year to assist the Haitian National Police.
Despite these calls, efforts to address Haiti’s security crisis remain under-resourced. A Kenyan-led contingent of international security forces has arrived in the country, but critics argue that the mission lacks the scale and funding necessary to make a meaningful impact.
Searching for solutions
While the immediate focus is on apprehending those responsible for the Cité Soleil massacre, many Haitians and observers stress that lasting solutions require addressing deeper systemic issues. These include widespread poverty, political instability, and the lack of economic opportunities that fuel gang recruitment.
Local organizations are calling for more community-based initiatives and international partnerships to provide resources directly to affected neighborhoods. “We need jobs, schools, and healthcare,” said Frantz Pierre-Louis, a local educator. “Without these, the cycle of violence will only continue.”
As Haiti mourns the victims of the Cité Soleil massacre, the nation faces a stark question: How long can it endure the unchecked rise of gang violence, and what will it take to restore safety and stability to its communities?
