A gang killed at least 70 people in Haiti’s Artibonite region. The attack happened early Thursday in Pont-Sonde, a key farming area. Over 6,000 people fled their homes. Gran Grif gang leader Luckson Elan claimed responsibility. He said he ordered the attack to punish locals for allowing vigilantes to kill his men.
The gang set homes and vehicles on fire during the raid. They shot many victims in their homes. Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the violence, calling it a crime against the nation. Security forces reinforced the area, and authorities replaced the local police chief.
This massacre reflects rising violence in Haiti. Gangs control much of Port-au-Prince and are spreading to nearby regions. The Gran Grif gang carries out kidnappings, murders, and forces farmers off their land. The UN and rights groups report that violence has surged since 2021. Many mass killings remain unpunished. Gangs have also triggered food shortages by extorting farmers and stealing crops. Over 700,000 people have fled their homes due to the ongoing violence. (CNN)
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