April 16, 2025
The commune of Kenscoff, perched in the hills above Port-au-Prince, has become the scene of unimaginable violence since late January 2025. On January 27, heavily armed gangs, including the “Viv Ansanm” coalition, launched a brutal offensive in this region, which had previously been relatively spared from such attacks. The assailants spread terror by storming homes, shooting indiscriminately, and setting houses on fire. This attack resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people, including pastors, teachers, and children. More than 1,600 residents were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge with relatives or in improvised shelters.
Among the victims of this barbarity, Eliana Thélémaque endured an unbearable tragedy. Her two-month-old infant was ripped from her arms by the attackers and thrown alive into the flames. Devastated, Eliana wandered for two weeks, consumed by grief over the loss of her child and the horrors she had witnessed. On February 14, passersby found her in a severely weakened state in Delmas 103 and took her to the Pétion-Ville police station. Sadly, she took her last breath there, unable to overcome the trauma and suffering she had endured.
This tragedy highlights the alarming deterioration of security in Haiti. Armed gangs now control a large portion of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, including neighborhoods that were once considered safe. Despite sporadic operations, authorities are struggling to restore order and protect the population.
