Gang Violence in Haiti: 16 Killed, Thousands Displaced in Attacks

Tue Mar 31 2026 15:30:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

At least 16 people have been confirmed killed in brutal gang attacks in rural Haiti, with reports suggesting casualties could be much higher. Thousands have fled as violence continues to surge.

In a tragic escalation of violence in rural Haiti, a series of attacks attributed to the notorious Gran Grif gang have left at least 16 dead and thousands displaced. The violence, which has rapidly spread from urban centers to rural areas, has prompted warnings of a humanitarian crisis as local police struggle to maintain control.

Police are trying to reach a gang-controlled area in central Haiti where at least 16 people have been killed in a series of attacks over the weekend. While so far only 16 fatalities have been confirmed by police, a local journalist spoke of around 20 dead, while one human rights group warned that the number of fatalities could be as high as 70.

Local rights activists said the Gran Grif gang, one of Haiti's most feared criminal organizations, was behind the deadly attacks, which they said had caused 6,000 people to flee. Gang violence has ravaged the Caribbean country for years and the multinational police force sent to contain it has struggled to enter areas where gangs hold sway.

Residents of the rural area of Jean-Denis, near the town of Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite, reported that a first attack took place in the early hours of Sunday. They told Haitian news site Le Nouvelliste that gang members had arrived from all directions, setting houses alight and shooting at those fleeing from the flames.

Survivors described finding bodies strewn on the road the next morning. A second deadly attack reportedly occurred on Monday. So far, 16 bodies have been taken to nearby morgues, but many locals are too afraid to collect the remains of those killed due to the continued presence of gang members in the area.

The ombudsman's office said at least another 19 people had sustained bullet wounds, adding that the continued presence of gang members was making it difficult to verify the number of victims. Romain Le Cour Grandmaison, director of the Haiti Observatory at the NGO Global Initiative, reported that the attack seemed to have been highly coordinated, with roads blocked to prevent police from intervening.

As often in such large-scale attacks, warnings were given ahead of time, raising criticism over authorities' failure to act on advance signals. The attack is believed to have been led by a commander known as Ti Kenken, who previously was a leading figure in a vigilante group formed to protect locals from gangs but later switched sides to join Gran Grif.

With allegations surrounding Ti Kenken raising critical concerns, observers are noting the potential for escalating violence, wherein civilians are increasingly trapped or targeted directly. This situation is not unprecedented for residents of Artibonite, who previously suffered a deadly rampage in October 2024, where gang members accused locals of siding with rival groups.

Gran Grif, linked to both recent attacks and previous incidents, was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States in May of last year, with officials outlining its role as a primary source of instability and violence in Haiti. The multi-national police force deployed to support Haiti's security has often found itself outgunned and outmanned by these violent groups.

A new, larger UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) is set to replace the underfunded multinational force, with its first officers expected to arrive in April.