Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A weekend massacre targeting elderly individuals and voodoo practitioners in Haiti’s capital, reportedly orchestrated by a powerful gang leader, has left nearly 200 people dead, marking one of the most heinous episodes of violence in the Caribbean nation’s ongoing crisis.
The violence unfolded in the western coastal neighborhood of Cite Soleil, an area already plagued by gang control and instability. The Committee for Peace and Development (CPD), a civil organization based in Haiti, reported that the attacks were driven by the gang leader’s belief that his son’s illness was caused by a voodoo-related curse.
A Wave of Unbearable Cruelty
Victims were reportedly dragged from their homes and taken to the gang leader’s stronghold, where they were executed, mutilated, and their bodies burned in the streets. Witnesses and residents described the brutality of the massacre, with many families unable to recover the remains of their loved ones for burial.
“My 76-year-old father was among those killed,” a local resident, speaking anonymously for safety, told AFP. “The bandits set fire to his body. I fear for my family’s safety and will try to get them out of here.”
The CPD noted that motorcycle taxi drivers attempting to help victims flee were also executed. The final death toll remains unclear due to the gang’s control of the area and limited access for officials and aid organizations.
Historical Context and Religious Targeting
Voodoo, a religion brought to Haiti by African slaves and intertwined with the country’s culture, has faced persecution throughout history. Though officially recognized as a religion in 2003, it has frequently been the target of attacks fueled by superstition and religious intolerance.
This massacre underscores the deep divisions and misconceptions about voodoo in Haitian society. The CPD described the gang leader’s actions as a chilling example of scapegoating vulnerable communities based on unfounded beliefs.
Political Instability and Gang Violence
Haiti has faced decades of political turmoil and poverty, exacerbated by natural disasters and the collapse of state institutions. In recent years, gang violence has spiraled out of control, with armed groups now controlling 80% of Port-au-Prince. The situation worsened in February when coordinated gang attacks sought to overthrow then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Efforts to curb violence, including a Kenyan-led police support mission backed by the United States and the United Nations, have done little to stem the bloodshed. The weekend massacre is a stark reminder of the Haitian government’s challenges in asserting control over the capital.
Calls for Action
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence as “horrific” and called for a thorough investigation into the killings. The UN also reiterated its plea for international support to strengthen Haiti’s police force.
“This monstrous crime constitutes a direct attack on humanity,” said Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime. His office described the massacre as an “act of barbarity, of unbearable cruelty.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The massacre has added to Haiti’s growing humanitarian crisis. Over 700,000 people are currently displaced, with more than 5,000 forced from their homes over the weekend alone. The International Organization for Migration reports that half of the displaced population are children.
Since the start of 2024, gang violence has claimed the lives of approximately 5,000 Haitians, according to UN estimates. The international community faces mounting pressure to provide aid and support to the beleaguered nation, but the road to stability remains perilous.
As Haiti reels from this latest atrocity, the need for both immediate humanitarian relief and long-term solutions to the country’s deep-rooted challenges is more urgent than ever.
