Overview:
Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite Residents fled throughout the Artibonite River after gangs killed 3, injured 10, and torched properties in Petite Rivière
GONAÏVES — Residents of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite as soon as once more fled their properties Wednesday, April 30, after Savien-based gangs launched a brand new wave of assaults—killing at the least two individuals and torching extra properties simply days after an identical assault on Monday. Households have been seen crossing the Artibonite River—some wading waist-deep with belongings balanced on their heads, others paying for boats to flee the violence.
“Round 3 a.m. on Wednesday, criminals started attacking the inhabitants and destroying the entire properties,” stated André Saint-Louis, a farmer and coordinator of the Decrease Artibonite Peace Initiative Committee (KILBA).
Videos posted online confirmed determined scenes: dad and mom carrying kids, residents clutching luggage of meals, and smoke rising as extra properties have been set ablaze.
Days after police claimed to have regained management of the communal part of Petite-Rivière, the Grand Grif gang launched one other assault, torching extra properties and forcing renewed displacement.
The brand new wave of violence follows a brutal assault earlier within the week. On Monday, April 28, armed members of the Grand Grif gang killed two individuals, wounded at the least 10 others, and set a number of properties on fireplace throughout a looting and kidnapping spree. That assault got here only a month after the identical gang ambushed a convoy within the space, killing a Kenyan officer with the Multinational Safety Help Mission (MSS).
Regardless of public assurances from the Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH), residents say the state of affairs stays uncontrolled. Throughout an April 29 press briefing, PNH spokesperson Jean Casseus confirmed the newest casualties and acknowledged that Grand Grif was answerable for the violence in Savien.
Casseus denied rumors that the gang had taken full management of Petite-Rivière and stated the PNH had intensified operations to trace and neutralize armed people.
However Saint-Louis sharply criticized each the police and the MSS, accusing them of failing to behave throughout Wednesday’s escalation.
“We’d like stronger safety forces, no more guarantees,” he stated.
The MSS, deployed in Haiti since early 2025 to assist nationwide safety forces, has not intervened instantly within the ongoing clashes in Artibonite. The power’s effectiveness has been questioned following the deadly ambush on one in all its officers final month.
PNH authorities introduced the arrest of a nurse, Jordany Jean, intercepted in Savien whereas allegedly treating a wounded gang member injured in a shootout with police within the space. In keeping with officers, Jean had handled a number of Grand Grif associates previously and is now being questioned in Gonaïves.
The Grand Grif gang, together with Kokorat San Ras, additionally continues to extort drivers by working unlawful toll checkpoints alongside Nationwide Highway #1—Haiti’s predominant northern hall. The PNH says it’s working to dismantle these prison networks.
“We’re utilizing all out there sources to eradicate the prison practices of armed teams working within the Artibonite division,” stated Casseus. Police later confirmed that they had regained management of the world.
However for a lot of in Petite-Rivière, these efforts have fallen brief. As individuals are seen crossing the Artibonite River and displacement grows and assaults persist, residents are as soon as once more calling for pressing, coordinated motion from each nationwide and worldwide forces to revive peace.