28 Gang Members Killed by Civilians and Law-enforcers in Haiti

In a major escalation of violence in the Haitian capital, authorities reported that 28 suspected gang members were killed early Tuesday during clashes with police and civilian self-defence groups. The incident occurred as gangs continue to tighten their grip on Port-au-Prince, a city already plagued by violence following the collapse of the government last week.

At around 2:00 am, police intercepted two vehicles carrying gang members attempting to enter the wealthy suburb of Petion-Ville. One vehicle blocked the road, while the other was stopped in the city center.

Haitian National Police spokesman Lionel Lazarre confirmed that at least 10 gang members were killed in a firefight with law enforcement. Additional killings followed as vigilante groups, formed by local residents tired of gang violence, joined the pursuit, ultimately killing the remaining members.

Reports from the scene described gruesome acts of retribution, with vigilantes decapitating bodies, cutting off limbs, and setting the corpses on fire with rubber tyres. This brutality echoes previous vigilante actions, such as last year’s stoning and burning of alleged gang members by enraged locals.

Tuesday’s clash marks a new chapter in Haiti’s ongoing struggle against well-armed gangs that control around 80% of the capital. Despite the presence of a Kenyan-led international force deployed to assist the Haitian National Police, gang violence has continued to escalate, especially after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

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