December 23, 2024
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the town of Carrefour was the scene of new deadly violence. Armed bandits killed three people, including two police inspectors, in Arcachon 32 (a suburb of Carrefour). The criminals took away the bodies of the police officers, creating a climate of fear and serious concern among the inhabitants of the region.
This attack occurs in a context of a capital dominated by violence. The previous weekend, more than twenty citizens were massacred in Gressier by armed gangs, who also burned down part of the local police station. Although the police regained control of this station on Monday, July 1, 2024, after an operation carried out by a regional task force made up of police officers from Nippes, the South-East, and the South, the gangs continue to sow violence and terror.
Despite these efforts, the Haitian National Police (HNP) has not yet made a public statement regarding the exact number of deaths reported by the mayor of Gressier. This lack of official communication fuels the frustration and concern of the population, who feel abandoned in the face of the upsurge in violence.
Prime Minister Garry Conille, currently out of the country, has still not reacted to these tragic events. As head of the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN), his silence is seen as a lack of leadership at this critical time when gangs are flexing their muscles. The authorities’ promise to crack down on gangs seems increasingly meaningless as violence continues to rise, often targeting state institutions.
The residents of Carrefour and surrounding areas live in constant anxiety. Calls for a more effective and urgent response from the authorities are increasing, but for the moment, the police appear powerless in containing the situation. The international community and human rights defenders are calling for rapid intervention to restore peace and security to the regions affected by this wave of violence