Haiti's Gang Violence Escalates Amid Political Chaos

In a violent escalation of gang conflicts in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, over two dozen suspected gang members were killed as residents and police repelled an attack on the affluent suburb of Petion-Ville. The attack, led by the gang coalition Viv Ansanm and announced by its leader Jimmy Chérizier, aimed to destabilize the government, demanding the resignation of Haiti's Presidential Transition Council. Residents, armed with rudimentary weapons, joined forces with police, resulting in gruesome scenes of violence, including decapitations and bodies being set on fire. The Haitian National Police reported seizing weapons and ammunition during the clashes, highlighting the severe challenges faced by the under-resourced force. The spate of vigilantism reflects the desperate measures civilians are resorting to amid the ongoing chaos, compounded by the political instability following President Jovenel Moise's assassination in 2021. As the government struggles to reassert control, the situation in Port-au-Prince remains volatile and uncertain.