Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has been engulfed by a wave of unimaginable violence, with gangs targeting vulnerable populations under accusations of witchcraft. According to the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), at least 110 people, mostly elderly, have been brutally murdered in a horrifying incident driven by superstition and revenge.
The Trigger: A Child’s Death and Blame on Witchcraft
The massacre unfolded when a local gang leader, Monel “Mikano” Felix of the Wharf Jeremie gang, suffered the tragic loss of his son to an unexplained illness. Desperate for answers, he consulted a voodoo priest, who pointed fingers at elderly residents in Cite Soleil, accusing them of practicing witchcraft.
Believing these allegations, Felix ordered a violent purge, targeting those accused of “causing harm” through supernatural means. The victims, all over 60 years old, faced gruesome deaths, illustrating how deeply embedded superstition and fear can fuel atrocities.
Haiti’s Escalating Gang Violence
This massacre is part of a larger, grim pattern of unchecked gang violence across Haiti. The United Nations reports that 5,000 people have been killed in gang-related violence this year alone, with many of these deaths stemming from turf wars and retribution killings.
The recent weekend was particularly brutal, with 184 people killed in just a few days in Port-au-Prince, marking one of the most violent spikes in the city’s already dire security crisis. The impoverished neighborhood of Cite Soleil, a hotspot for gang activity, has borne the brunt of this violence.
The Vulnerability of Elderly Populations
The elderly, often the most defenseless members of society, have become scapegoats in this tragedy. Accusations of witchcraft, deeply rooted in cultural superstitions, are being weaponized to justify brutal acts of violence. This highlights not only the lack of accountability but also the cultural fears exploited by those in power to enforce their reign of terror.
International Concern and Calls for Action
The international community, led by voices like the UN human rights chief Volker Turk, has condemned the violence and called for immediate action. Turk described the situation as a “spiraling security crisis,” emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to restore law and order in Haiti.
Human rights organizations have also decried the lack of state control, which has allowed gang leaders to act with impunity. The current climate of lawlessness underscores the urgent need for international support to stabilize the country and protect its citizens.
A Nation in Despair
Haiti’s ongoing violence reflects a deeper crisis of governance, poverty, and social breakdown. The massacre in Cite Soleil is not just a story of gang brutality; it is a tragic reminder of how fear, superstition, and the absence of justice can devastate lives.
As the world watches, it is crucial to push for humanitarian aid, peacebuilding efforts, and long-term solutions to address the systemic issues that have plunged Haiti into chaos. Only then can the cycle of violence be broken, and the dignity of Haiti’s people restored.
This atrocity serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked violence and the urgent need for collective action to bring hope and stability to the people of Haiti.