In a troubling turn of events, armed gangs have launched a brazen attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, seizing control of yet another police station. The coastal community of Gressier in the western part of the city was raided by armed men, resulting in injuries, car burnings, and attacks on homes and infrastructure. The situation escalated as scores of residents fled into the mountains following a night of intense gunfire.
Videos circulating on social media captured the chaos as people fled with their belongings while armed individuals celebrated their control over Gressier. The brazenness of the attack was evident as one individual proclaimed, 'The town is ours. We have no limits.'
The recent attack comes on the heels of previous gang violence in central Port-au-Prince, which forced over 3,700 people to evacuate their homes. The deteriorating security situation has prompted calls for the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief, Frantz Elbé, with accusations of incompetence and failure to address the crisis effectively.
The police union, SPNH-17, has criticized Elbé for being incapable and complicit with gangs, citing the loss of multiple police stations and equipment in recent months. The union is urging a transitional presidential council to demand Elbé's resignation and launch an investigation into the ongoing crisis.
Gressier, controlled by gang leader Renel Destina, known as 'Ti Lapli,' has been a focal point of gang activity. The Grand Ravine gang, led by Destina, has been implicated in various crimes, including killings, kidnappings, and rapes.
The escalating violence has forced more than 360,000 Haitians to flee their homes, seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters amid the territorial disputes between rival gangs. The situation has been exacerbated by the recent coordinated attacks by gangs, which have targeted police stations, the international airport, and prisons.
The need for international intervention has been underscored by veteran politician André Michel, who emphasized that Haiti cannot combat the gangs alone. Efforts to deploy a U.N.-backed contingent of Kenyan police officers to Haiti have faced delays, while the arrival of a multinational mission is eagerly anticipated.
Amid the ongoing crisis, the influx of aid and support from the United States, including supplies, equipment, and personnel, signals a concerted effort to address the security challenges facing Haiti.
