January 29, 2026
On the night of April 11 to 12, 2025, the town of Kenscoff was once again the target of an armed attack attributed to the criminal coalition Viv Ansanm. Several police officers were injured during the assault and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Supported by reinforcements, police officers tried to repel the attackers but were overwhelmed. The town’s mayor, Massillon Jean, confirmed that the security forces were outmatched despite their efforts to respond.
Since late February, Viv Ansanm’s presence has grown significantly in the area, now spreading across three of the town’s five sections. At present, only a few strongholds continue to resist the advance of the armed groups, particularly the town center and two peripheral sections.
On April 12, the assailants released videos displaying weapons reportedly seized from the Haitian National Police (HNP), highlighting their increasing boldness and the diminishing control of official forces on the ground.
Despite repeated calls for help and reports submitted since 2021, no concrete response has come from national authorities. Exhausted by broken promises, the mayor now fears a major offensive targeting the town’s administrative center—one that could have devastating consequences for the entire region.
