The once secure Kenscoff district in Haiti, known for its wealth and located just over six miles southeast of Port-au-Prince, has been besieged by armed gangs for eight consecutive days. Reports indicate that at least 40 people have been killed, and over 1,660 residents have been forced to abandon their homes due to the escalating violence.
Mayor Jean Massillon has been at the forefront, reporting on the conditions in Kenscoff. In an interview on February 3, 2025, he identified the Viv Ansanm gang coalition as the culprits. He shared that gunmen have been going from one house to another, firing their weapons without targeting specific individuals or property.
Massillon emphasized that the area is still under threat and appealed for additional support. The casualties include pastors, educators, and children. The mayor believes the actual death toll could be higher, as access to certain parts of the district, a residence to many politicians and business leaders, has been restricted.
Most of the victims are working-class individuals who farm on the periphery of the neighborhood, situated in the foothills of a mountain range.
The response from the government to the Kenscoff attacks has been criticized by the police union, who argue that the situation could have been averted if the police force had the right equipment and resources. The union stated that poor planning and coordination by the national police have exacerbated the situation, allowing gangs to take control of sections of the neighborhood.
This surge in violence follows a horrific massacre in the Cité Soleil district of Port-au-Prince in December, led by gang leader Micanor “Mikanò” Altès. Human rights observers reported that over 180 people were killed on December 6 and 7, with at least 60 elderly individuals shot dead on the first day and 50 more killed with machetes and knives on the second. The Wharf Jérémie area remains under gang control, with elderly residents and followers of Voodoo being specifically targeted.
The UN Human Rights Office reported a record level of gang violence in Haiti in 2024, with 5,601 deaths and 2,212 injuries. The office documented 315 lynchings of suspected gang members and 281 alleged summary executions by specialized police units during the year.
The international response has been led by a UN-backed mission comprising of over 600 Kenyan police officers, recently joined by 70 Salvadoran soldiers. These soldiers bring critical air support skills for medical evacuations, according to Kenyan officials. Personnel from Jamaica and Guatemala have also joined the mission, but the force remains under-equipped and understaffed.
Over one million people have been displaced due to the violence, with an 87% increase in displacement in Port-au-Prince from 2023 to 2024. Half of the displaced are children now at risk of severe health issues and lack of protection in rural areas with scarce resources. Gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince, disrupting healthcare services and forcing the closure of the international airport. A recent attack at a public hospital reopening resulted in the deaths of two journalists and a police officer.
The United Nations secretary-general expressed concern about the possibility of Port-au-Prince being completely overrun by gangs without additional international intervention. He stressed the urgent need to strengthen Haiti’s national police and multinational forces as the violence continues to infiltrate areas previously untouched by gangs.
