A tragic gang attack in the Haitian town of Pont-Sondé, located in the Artibonite region, has left at least 70 people dead, including women and children. This massacre occurred on Thursday, reportedly carried out by the Gran Grif gang, which opened fire with automatic weapons. The attack was said to be a retaliatory response after local residents resisted the gang’s extortion efforts. In addition to the killings, the attackers set fire to homes and vehicles, forcing over 3,000 people to flee the area. Many survivors are being treated in nearby hospitals.

This incident is part of the ongoing crisis in Haiti, where armed gangs increasingly control large parts of the country, exacerbating the humanitarian situation. Hunger is rampant, with over half the population facing severe food insecurity. Despite efforts by the Haitian police and an international mission led by Kenya, gang violence remains widespread and hard to contain.