Armed Gangs Kill Dozens and Displace Thousands in Haiti’s Artibonite Region

Dozens of civilians have been killed and nearly 6,000 people forced to flee after armed gangs launched coordinated attacks in western Haiti’s agricultural heartland. Gunmen targeted the Jean-Denis and Pont-Sond areas, opening fire on homes and setting villages ablaze, according to Haitian authorities and rights groups. Estimates of the death toll vary. Officials confirmed at least 16 fatalities on the first day, while human rights organizations suggest the number could be closer to 70. Witnesses say attackers blocked roads, dug trenches to trap residents, and fired indiscriminately. Local spokespersons report that security forces arrived only after significant destruction had occurred. The United Nations has called for an urgent investigation as Haiti prepares to receive an international security force in the coming days. Observers warn that violence in the Artibonite region risks worsening food shortages and deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.

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