In the aftermath of a brutal gang assault in central Haiti, nearly 6,300 individuals have abandoned their homes and fled. The International Organization for Migration reveals that the majority, approximately 90%, are currently residing with relatives, while others have found refuge in less conventional sites such as a school. The violent incursion took place in the early hours of Thursday in Pont-Sondé, where gang members unleashed terror by shooting, looting, and setting fires. Eyewitness Sonise Mirano recounts a harrowing escape, "I just had time to grab my children and run in the dark."
The tragic event in Artibonite left bodies scattered on the streets, many victims suffering fatal gunshots to the head. Prime Minister Garry Conille, responding to rising outrage, declared that those responsible will face justice, saying, "It is necessary to arrest them, bring them to justice, and put them in prison." International responses have been swift, with the UN Human Rights Office expressing horror and the European Union condemning the violence as a severe escalation of Haiti's ongoing troubles.
The government has dispatched an elite police unit and medical supplies to the area, emphasizing a sustained presence for restoring safety. Gang violence has been intensifying in regions like Artibonite, responsible for much of Haiti's food production. The country is grappling with over 700,000 internally displaced individuals, many children in particular, exacerbating issues such as food scarcity and overwhelmed healthcare systems. This attack echoes the instability that pervades large swaths of Haiti, notably in gang-dominated Port-au-Prince. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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