December 23, 2024
On December 6 and 7, 2024, the Cité Soleil neighborhood in Port-au-Prince became the scene of a particularly brutal massacre orchestrated by a local gang leader. According to the National Human Rights Defense Network (NHRDN), at least 110 people lost their lives in these targeted attacks, mostly elderly individuals accused of witchcraft. The United Nations puts the death toll at no fewer than 184. The gang leader, identified as Micanor Altes, reportedly justified the killings with mystical beliefs after consulting a voodoo priest.
The assailants allegedly used machetes and knives to carry out the executions, displaying extreme cruelty. On Friday, 60 people were killed, followed by 50 more on Saturday. These acts of violence occur within a broader context of impunity in gang-controlled areas, where residents live under the constant threat of brutal retaliation. The NHRDN described the massacre as a premeditated attack on a vulnerable community unable to defend itself against the reign of terror imposed by armed groups.
This tragedy delivers yet another blow to a population already worn down by months of unrelenting violence, bringing the death toll for the year to approximately 5,000, according to United Nations estimates. The Haitian state’s inability to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly in areas like Cité Soleil, underscores the urgent need for both national and international responses to counter the rising power of armed gangs.
Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, Haitian authorities have yet to take significant measures to restore order or deliver justice for the victims. This silence, coupled with the inaction of the international community, deepens the uncertainty surrounding the country’s security future. As violence becomes a daily occurrence, the population remains abandoned to face a crisis that shows no signs of abating.