Gang coalition unleashes violent new attack on farming community in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A powerful gang coalition launched a violent assault on a tranquil farming community near Haiti's capital, resulting in multiple deaths, according to an official who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday. The mayor of Kenscoff, Jean Massillon, reported that armed men raided the town late Sunday, setting homes ablaze and murdering residents.

The exact death toll remains uncertain due to communication issues and accessibility challenges. Survivors found the bodies of loved ones scattered across the streets early Monday, with cries of grief echoing through the community. One woman repeatedly pleaded, "They killed my son!" while a man wept on the roadside. Neighbors retrieved the deceased, some wrapped in blood-stained sheets.

Robert Jean recounted hearing gunfire before dawn and attempting to rouse people to flee. He frantically searched for his slain brother, shouting, "I was calling to see if everyone was safe. I could not find my brother." Another resident blamed the government, asserting that a well-equipped police force could have prevented the tragedy.

Dr. Jean "Bill" Pape, a renowned doctor who runs a non-governmental organization in Haiti, was targeted by the gang, according to Massillon. The government's Office of Citizen Protection condemned the massacre, stating that dozens of people, including young Haitians, were killed. The U.N.-backed gang suppression force's director visited the area and defended the police, but no further details about the attack were disclosed.

The U.S. government condemned the attack, stating that eight armored vehicles were deployed in Kenscoff, as reported by the government. The government pledged to deploy reinforcements and protect the population, emphasizing that the situation would not deteriorate. The attack follows a week-long surge in gang violence, which has displaced a record 1.5 million people in Haiti, with over 3,100 fatalities and 1,189 injuries from January to June, according to U.N. statistics.

The conflict occurs amidst preparations for Haiti's first general elections in over a decade, set for December 13. Experts have cautioned that the current security situation makes electoral proceedings unsafe.