Deadly Gang Attack in Kenscoff Leaves 30 Dead as Violence Escalates Across Haiti

A brutal assault by a powerful gang coalition in the farming community of Kenscoff has left at least 30 people dead. The attack, which occurred late on Sunday south of the capital, Port-au-Prince, comes as the nation prepares for its first general election in more than a decade.

Jean Massillon, Kenscoff’s mayor, reported that armed men sowed chaos by setting homes on fire and targeting residents. Among the properties attacked was a church and the home of Jean William Pape, a leading public health expert. Mayor Massillon attributed the violence to Viv Ansanm, a group previously designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States government.

Gangs currently control an estimated 70 percent of Port-au-Prince. Viv Ansanm has repeatedly targeted Kenscoff due to its strategic location overlooking routes into Petion-Ville, an area housing several embassies, upscale hotels, and the temporary seat of government.

Efforts to restore order continue to face severe challenges. A United Nations-backed gang suppression force has been deployed to assist local police, though it has yet to reach its full capacity of 5,500 members. According to United Nations data, ongoing gang violence has displaced 1.5 million people across Haiti, with more than 3,100 people killed and 1,189 injured between January and June.

In response to the tragedy, Haiti’s prime minister’s office condemned the heinous attack on Monday and assured the public that security forces are on high alert with reinforcements being sent. A statement emphasized that Kenscoff will not be abandoned and that government authority will be restored without weakness and without delay. Meanwhile, although Haitians have been registering to vote for elections planned in January, experts warn that prevailing security conditions make holding the vote extremely dangerous.