December 23, 2024
CARREFOUR, HAITI June 2, 2024 – One day after the PNH regained control of the Gressier police station from the Grand Ravin gangs, after it had been looted and partially burned, it was the turn of the Saint-Charles police station in the Carrefour commune to be set on fire by gangs.
According to several media reports across Haiti, the bandits of Viv Ansanm—a gang coalition led by Jimmy Cherizier, known as BBQ—sabotaged and then took control of the Carrefour police station. Gressier and Carrefour are just a litle over 30 minutes away from one another.
This attack comes two days after the Gressier police station was attacked by bandits. The police officers assigned to the said police station had to flee, only to return with back up a day later.
This daring attack demonstrates the intrepidity of the gangs in the face of the PNH and the Kenyan forces of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, who have been in Haiti for about a week. Members of the multinational force patrolled some areas of Port-au-Prince the day after their arrival. However, this did not stop the gang from showing their strength and presence by continuing to attack police stations. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the gangs have taken the pleasure of regularly attacking several police stations as they see fit, leaving the PNH to flee or die.
Despite the wind of hope blowing over Haiti with the appointment of Dr. Garry Conille to the post of Prime Minister, he and his government have so far failed to slow down or neutralize the waves of attacks perpetuated by gangs. PM Conille is currently on an official trip to the United States, leaving his Minister of Justice and Public Security, Maître Carlos Hercules, in charge.
Until the writing of this article, neither the PNH nor the Minister of Justice has commented on the situation. The residents of Gressier and Saint-Charles continue to demand urgent and effective measures from the authorities to put an end to the criminal acts committed by these armed gangs. For them, it is essential to return to a peaceful and secure life.