Announcements from the Haitian government or international bodies

UN Horrified as Gran Grif Gang Kills 70 in Pont-Sondé, Haiti

Oct 4, 2024, 03:55 PM

A brutal gang attack in the town of Pont-Sondé, located in Haiti's Artibonite Valley, has resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people, including women and children, according to reports from the United Nations and local officials. The Gran Grif gang, armed with automatic rifles, opened fire on residents in this key agricultural region, causing widespread panic and forcing hundreds to flee. Among the victims were three infants and a young mother with her newborn baby. The gang is said to have originated nearly a decade ago after a Haitian legislator began arming young men to secure his election. The UN Human Rights Office expressed horror at the massacre and called for increased international assistance to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, as well as a prompt and thorough investigation into the attack. This incident highlights the surge in gang violence that has been plaguing Haiti.