Riots in Haiti’s capital have now spread to suburbs as suspected gang members set fires

An attack in the Pétionville neighborhood on the southern outskirts of Haiti’s capital, in which multiple suspects were killed, and clashes with police and locals showed a resurgence of vigilante justice in the absence of the government.

The latest outbreak of violence comes as the political future of the crisis-plagued Caribbean island hangs in the balance.

Reuters reporters saw two suspected gang members, including a leader named Makandal, killed and set on fire. Video seen earlier by Reuters showed bodies lying in the street and being dragged away, including one man’s hands being chopped off.

Makandal’s home was also set on fire.

RFM radio quoted police sources as saying that local residents were involved in the shootout in Pétionville, on the southern edge of the capital Port-au-Prince.

About a year ago, a group of Port-au-Prince residents lynched and set fires to more than a dozen men believed to be gang members, launching what became known as the “Bwa Kale Movement,” a vigilante justice movement, rights groups say The campaign is sometimes carried out by Haitian police.

political vacuum

Earlier on Wednesday, Le Nouvelliste reported that at least 15 people were killed in attacks around Petionville, which is home to several high-end hotels and about a dozen embassies. Residents there locked themselves in their homes while armed men launched new attacks east of the city.

Pétionville is close to the hotel where gang leader Jimmy “Grill” Cherichier threatened last week, saying he would go after hotel owners who were hiding conservative politicians.

Although Prime Minister Ariel Henry said last week he would resign – a demand from the increasingly powerful gangs that control much of Port-au-Prince – the violence has continued as Henry remains stranded abroad.

Meanwhile, the acting prime minister extended a nighttime curfew that was launched earlier this month.

A Presidential Transition Council has been established with the good offices of international leaders in an effort to curb growing lawlessness in the country since the former president was assassinated in 2021, but its composition remains unclear and the politicians involved have been criticized by gangs. threats.

U.S. officials said last week they expected the composition of the commission to be decided within days, but some of the factions chosen to be represented have rejected the plan or been unable to unite behind a leader. Those excluded criticized the commission for empowering members of groups they viewed as corrupt.

Meanwhile, embassy security has been beefed up and some countries have begun evacuating foreigners. On Tuesday, neighboring Dominican Republic said it had evacuated nearly 300 people, including personnel from the European Union, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. With airports closed, the United States said it was evacuating its citizens by helicopter.

Fierce fighting last August forced thousands to flee their homes across the city in Carrefour Feuilles, where an alleged gang leader rallied supporters on Tuesday to try to regain control of the area. .

Hundreds of thousands have been displaced within Haiti, thousands have been killed by rape, arson and kidnapping for ransom, food prices have soared and hospitals are running short of critical supplies such as blood and oxygen.