Nearly 200 people were killed in a brutal massacre over the weekend, allegedly orchestrated by a powerful gang leader. The violence, which targeted voodoo practitioners, has shocked the nation and drawn widespread condemnation.
According to the Committee for Peace and Development (CPD), the killings were spurred by a gang leader who believed his son’s illness was caused by voodoo followers. In his twisted quest for revenge, the leader ordered the execution of elderly people and voodoo practitioners.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the “horrific” violence, with reports confirming at least 184 deaths, including 127 elderly victims. The attacks took place in the western coastal neighborhood of Cite Soleil, where gangs hold significant power.
A local resident confirmed the brutality, revealing that his 76-year-old father was among the victims. “The bandits set fire to his body,” he said, unable to organize a proper burial due to the charred remains.
The CPD reported that gang members hunted down victims in their homes, dragging them to a stronghold for execution. More than 100 bodies were mutilated and burned in the streets, according to reliable sources.
Voodoo, a central aspect of Haitian culture, has long been persecuted by various religious and political factions. Despite its official recognition in 2003, violence against its practitioners remains a dark chapter in Haiti’s troubled history.
The massacre comes amidst escalating gang violence, with armed groups controlling 80% of the capital. The UN and Haitian authorities are calling for a thorough investigation and increased international support to combat the growing violence, which has displaced over 700,000 people this year.
The death toll in Haiti for 2024 now exceeds 5,000, marking a grim milestone in the nation’s ongoing struggle with instability.