Gang Attack in Haiti Kills 47, Kidnaps Over 50

At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, with another 22 injured, when armed men attacked the once peaceful community of Kenscoff near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The United Nations confirmed the casualties, noting that at least five of those killed were children.

The attack occurred on Sunday and was carried out by a gang leader identified as Izo 2, who threatened to kill hostages if authorities harm any gang members. In a video posted on social media, he warned Haiti’s national police director Vladimir Paraison not to use drones against the gangs in Kenscoff.

The violence has disrupted recent improvements in security and poses a significant challenge for the Haitian government as it prepares for general elections scheduled for December 13, the first in over a decade. Romain Le Cour, head of Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, described the attack as a major political and security test.

Kenscoff’s mayor Jean Massillon reported that two government employees were among those killed, including his cousin who served as his security detail. The gangs also set fire to 25 homes in the area. Despite the attack, Massillon expressed optimism about the state's efforts to eradicate gang violence.

Armed men control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince and swaths of land in Haiti’s central region, displacing a record 1.5 million people across the country. The attack has raised concerns about the ability to hold elections safely amid ongoing gang violence.

The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack on Tuesday, noting that 22 of the victims were reportedly executed in a church compound where they had sought shelter: 'The relentless gang attacks on communities and the loss of lives underscore the alarming security conditions in Haiti,' he said.

Kenscoff resident Marc Paul recounted how gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, and two cousins. His 16-year-old niece was also kidnapped and raped but managed to escape. The attack has left the community traumatized and fearful for their safety.

Hundreds of people attended a funeral in Kenscoff for four victims on Sunday. Mourners gathered at the church, where they honored a mother, father, their son, and a 70-year-old man whose body had been set on fire by gang members. The community expressed solidarity with the families affected by the violence.

Pope Leo XIV condemned the massacre and called for the immediate release of all hostages. He also appealed to those responsible to ensure the safety of the population and end every form of violence in Haiti.