January 29, 2026
A recent Amnesty International report harshly criticizes the Haitian authorities for their failure to protect the population amid rising insecurity. The document cites the Labodrie massacre in Cabaret, where more than 40 people were killed, noting “no drastic response” from officials.
According to the IOM, roughly 3,000 residents of Cabaret fled their homes between September 11 and 13 after armed attacks. These internally displaced people often found refuge on the streets of Arcahaie, left to fend for themselves without adequate protection.
Amnesty International also reports that in some neighborhoods of the Ouest department, gang-related violence particularly affects children: recruitment, assaults, sexual violence, injuries, or killings. These abuses are taking place in a context where the justice system appears powerless, with few arrests and few credible investigations.
Both organizations are calling for urgent measures: securing Cabaret, protecting the displaced, and restoring state authority. Amnesty demands that the interim authorities take “all necessary steps” to end impunity for armed gangs.
