Overview:
Three officers from the departmental police unit (UDMO ) had been killed on July 22 in an ambush by the Gran Grif gang in Liancourt. Days earlier, 9 civilians had been massacred in L’Estère by the Kokorat San Ras gang. The gang’s infamous chief, Fadens “Meyè” Tilus, was later killed by a self-defense group. Residents proceed to denounce authorities inaction as violence intensifies within the Artibonite area.
GONAÏVES — At the least three officers from the Departmental Legislation Enforcement Unit (UDMO) had been killed on Tuesday, July 22, throughout an operation in Liancourt—a commune within the decrease Artibonite—when their armored automobile was ambushed and burned by members of the Gran Grif gang. In a separate assault, armed males from Kokorat San Ras, whose chief was killed by an area self-defense brigade, stormed the neighboring Kanpenyen neighborhood in L’Estère and murdered no less than 9 individuals. These incidents spotlight the most recent wave of ongoing violence within the area.
These cops, recognized by the authorities as Jean Louis Daniel, Dareus Daniel and Fegensly Mertus, distressed, spent hours ready for reinforcements that by no means arrived.
“We now have obtained info that the cops had been the victims of a prison act carried out by members of the Gran Grif gang,” Féquière Casséus, spokesperson for the Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH) in Artibonite, informed The Haitian Occasions.
“We’re nonetheless compiling the studies earlier than releasing extra particulars.”
The Gran Grif gang—designated a terrorist group earlier this 12 months by the Trump administration— is without doubt one of the most feared armed teams within the area. It has been the goal of ongoing police operations aimed toward reclaiming management of Savien and Liancourt, two communes which have been occupied since as early as 2018. Movies circulating on social media confirmed the aftermath of the ambush—an immobilized armored police automobile in flames and the our bodies of the slain officers being desecrated by males waving crimson handkerchiefs.
These newest killings echo a 2023 incident by which seven UDMO brokers had been slain on the Liancourt police station. The assaults have reignited criticism over the federal government’s failure to curb gang violence and adequately equip the police.
“There is no such thing as a real will to fight the armed teams that function with impunity,” stated André Saint-Louis, coordinator of the human rights group—Committee for Peace Initiative within the Decrease Artibonite (KILBA). “The Presidential Transitional Council [CPT] stays inactive and seems unconcerned concerning the dire state of affairs dealing with the Haitian individuals.”
“There is no such thing as a real will to fight the armed teams that function with impunity within the division.”
André Saint-Louis, Coordinator of Committee for Peace Initiative
The Minister of Economic system and Finance (MEF), Patrick Pélissier, confirmed that on July 18 he disbursed 117,130,000 gourdes, or about $901,000, to mobilize the required sources for the PNH’s anti-gang operations.
Saint-Louis stated the variety of officers killed in clashes with Gran Grif in current days could also be as excessive as 4. He added that eight weapons had been seized and one armored automobile torched within the ambush. “The fallen officers had been deployed in deplorable circumstances, with out sufficient ammunition or correct gear,” he stated.
Along with Liancourt and L’Estère, different areas within the area like Pont-Sondé, Gros-Morne, Verrettes, Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite and La Chapelle have been particularly affected by rampant gang violence, with residents being constantly killed, kidnapped, extorted or pressured to flee their properties.
Gang chief killed by self-defense brigade in L’Estère
Simply days earlier, July 17 to 18, one other lethal incident unfolded in Kanpenyen—a neighborhood in L’Estère, the place members of the Kokorat San Ras gang killed 9 civilians. The assault, reportedly in retaliation, got here shortly earlier than the gang’s infamous chief, Fadens “Meyè” Tilus, was killed by an armed self-defense group often called the “Coalition.”
A supply with insider info confirmed Tilus’ demise to The Haitian Occasions, although police officers haven’t verified it. “We deal with this info with the utmost seriousness, however presently we can’t affirm whether or not the gang chief has been killed,” stated Casseus, PNH spokesperson.
The victims in Kapenyen had been described as peaceable residents, principally engaged in agriculture. Their identities haven’t but been launched. Native authorities stated extra info shall be shared at a forthcoming press briefing in Gonaïves.
Authorities Commissioner Guiverna Guillaume stated he, too, realized of the bloodbath by means of the media. “We’re collaborating with police forces to make clear what occurred and restore safety within the jurisdiction of Gonaïves,” he informed The Haitian Occasions.
Residents demand motion, threaten continued protests
Within the wake of the violence, the Committee for Demobilization Towards Gangs and Insecurity in Artibonite introduced new mobilizations towards the federal government’s inaction. The group’s spokesperson, Jécosiasse Pierre, condemned the killings in Kapenyen and demanded the elimination of Artibonite’s prime police official.
“We demand the rapid resignation of Commissioner Kalerb Exantus,” Pierre stated. “His inefficiency has solely enabled the rise in insecurity.”
Pierre additionally stated Nationwide Street No. 1 would stay blocked in L’Estère, the place supporters of Kokorat San Ras have disrupted site visitors. Residents fleeing Kapenyen had been seen arriving in Gonaïves with small baggage and kids in tow, in search of shelter from the violence.