A brutal wave of armed gang violence in Haiti’s Artibonite region has left at least 70 people dead, according to human rights organizations.

The coordinated attacks, which involved burning homes and displacing thousands, have sparked fresh international concern over the country's collapsing security situation.

According to Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, the human rights group Défenseurs Plus reported that at least 70 people were killed and 30 others wounded during the assault in Artibonite, Haiti's primary agricultural hub.

This toll significantly exceeds initial government estimates, which had placed the death count at approximately 16.

Details of the Assault
Local residents and officials reported that the violence began early Sunday in the rural areas surrounding Jean-Denis and continued through Monday morning. Gang members reportedly stormed the community, setting fire to residential properties and forcing families to flee.

The humanitarian impact has been severe:

Displacement: Défenseurs Plus reports that approximately 6,000 people have been displaced by this latest surge in violence.

UN Estimates: The United Nations had previously noted that over 2,000 people fled nearby areas in a matter of days due to earlier gang activity.

Discrepancy in Casualties
There remains a notable gap between official figures and independent reports. While police initially confirmed 16 deaths and 10 injuries, and Civil Protection authorities reported 17 deaths (mostly men), human rights groups insist the scale is far larger.

A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General stated that the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) is monitoring the situation closely.

The UN suggests the actual death toll could range between 10 and 80 people and has called for a comprehensive investigation.

"Total Negligence"
In a joint statement, Défenseurs Plus and the ‘Collective to Save Artibonite’ condemned the state's failure to protect its citizens.

"The lack of response from security forces and the abandonment of the Artibonite region to armed groups is a peak example of the authorities' irresponsibility," the statement read.

The massacre underscores the growing power of gangs in Haiti, who now control significant portions of the capital and vital agricultural provinces, often outgunning the local police force.
Source: Al Jazeera