Rival gangs in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince have killed at least 78 people in a surge of violent clashes [1, 2].
The escalation underscores the collapse of security in Haiti, where lawlessness has worsened over the last two years and created a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The violence began on May 9, 2024 [4], intensifying particularly on the Saturday preceding a United Nations report. The fighting has centered on the suburbs of the capital, including Cité Soleil and areas near Toussaint Louverture International Airport [3].
Reports indicate that 66 people were wounded during the clashes [3]. Among the dead, at least 10 were civilians [3]. The conflict has forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes [6], leaving many displaced as gang rivalries intensify across the region.
United Nations officials and humanitarian agencies said they have grave concern over the instability. The fighting reflects a broader pattern of gang dominance in the capital, where armed groups frequently contest territory and control key infrastructure, including the roads leading to the primary international airport [3].
Local authorities and international observers said the lack of a functioning security apparatus allows these rivalries to escalate without intervention. The displacement of hundreds of people [6] has strained already limited resources in the suburbs, as families seek refuge from the gunfire and territorial disputes.
“At least 78 people have been killed in a surge of violent clashes.”
The death toll and displacement in Port-au-Prince demonstrate the inability of current security measures to contain gang warfare. By targeting key transit hubs like the area near the international airport, gangs are not only fighting for local territory but are effectively isolating the capital from international aid and diplomatic intervention.
