PORT‑AU‑PRINCE, Haiti – On Monday, a wave of deadly retaliation swept through the central Artibonite region after a United Nations‑backed security operation targeted illegal toll points set up by armed groups. Mayor Hubert Ceneac reported that between 11 and 12 people were killed, and several homes were set ablaze in the wake of the clash.
UN‑backed force intervenes
Earlier in the day, a Sri Lankan contingent of the multinational Gang Suppression Force, created to curb the rampant violence that has plagued Haiti for years, moved into the contested area. The force, operating under a UN mandate, pushed back gang members who had established illegal toll points that were strangling local commerce and travel.
According to a statement from the force, the operation resulted in the deaths of three gang members. The unit remained in the area only a few hours before returning to its base in the town of Gonaïves.
Retaliation by the Kokorat San Ras gang
Mayor Ceneac identified the Kokorat San Ras gang as the dominant group in the affected zone. He said the gang responded to the UN‑backed action with a brutal attack on civilians, killing and burning homes. “The bandits in retaliation attacked… they killed and burned homes,” he told Radio Kiskeya.
Rosy Ducena, head of the National Human Rights Defense Network, cautioned that the full death toll and extent of the damage remain unclear. She added that a single family had already reported the loss of several members.
Broader security crisis
The incident underscores the deepening security crisis that has spread beyond the capital, Port‑au‑Prince, as gangs extend their reach into Haiti’s agricultural heartland. The Gang Suppression Force’s mandate is set to expire this week unless the UN Security Council votes to extend it. A vote on the matter is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Local residents, already burdened by poverty and limited access to basic services, now face heightened fear as armed groups continue to wield terror as a tool of control. Community leaders are calling for a renewed international commitment to stabilize the region and protect civilians.
International response
The United Nations has repeatedly emphasized the need for a sustained, coordinated effort to dismantle gang networks and restore order. While the recent operation demonstrated a willingness to confront illegal activities, the swift and violent retaliation highlights the challenges of achieving lasting peace without a comprehensive political solution.
Human‑rights advocates urge the Haitian government and its partners to prioritize the protection of civilians and to ensure that any future security actions are accompanied by humanitarian assistance for affected families.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
