Haiti: at least 75 dead after clashes between gangs near Port-au-Prince

Residents raise their hands in the air as they flee gang fighting near Port-au-Prince on May 2, 2022. © RALPH TEDY EROL/REUTERS

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An apparent calm has returned to the northern suburbs of Port-au-Prince.

Over the past two weeks, two gangs have violently clashed there, creating panic and the flight of at least 9,000 inhabitants.

It is still impossible for security reasons to go to certain neighborhoods in the area, but the partial toll of this war between gangs is already heavy on the civilian side: at least 75 people have been killed there since April 24.

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With our correspondent in Port-au-Prince

Women and children are among these numerous victims and to these 75 dead, must be added at least 68 people injured.

To provide this new assessment on Friday, the UN declares having cross-checked several sources, proof of the difficulties in going to the scene of the clashes to investigate.

The international organization has expressed its deep concern over what it calls “ 

 ”.

A diplomatic vocabulary that hides the horror experienced for days by the inhabitants of the plain of Port-au-Prince.

Gang rapes of minors

Local sources have traced the existence of sexual crimes, including gang rapes of children as young as 10 years old, crimes that the gangs allegedly committed to terrorize and intimidate local populations who live in areas controlled by rival gangs.

The UN issued this press release as Haitians blame the international community for its inaction in the face of the development of gangs in recent months.

Since the start of this outbreak of violence in the northern suburbs on April 24, the Haitian government has not yet expressed itself on this situation.

►Also read: Concern is rising among the displaced, more and more numerous due to gangs

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