At least 70 people died and 30 were wounded when Gran Grif gang members attacked rural communities in Haiti's Artibonite region, according to human rights organizations — a death toll far exceeding initial police estimates of 16 fatalities.
The assault began at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday near Jean-Denis and continued into Monday morning, with armed attackers storming villages and setting homes ablaze. The Défenseurs Plus rights group estimates 6,000 residents fled the violence, adding to more than 2,000 people already displaced by recent gang raids in nearby areas.
Police initially reported 16 dead and 10 injured, while civil protection authorities suggested 17 had died and 19 were wounded. The significant discrepancy highlights the challenges authorities face in documenting violence across Haiti's increasingly lawless territory.
The lack of a security response and the abandonment of Artibonite to armed groups demonstrate a complete abdication of responsibility by the authorities
Défenseurs Plus — Joint statement with Collective to Save the Artibonite
An audio message circulating on social media, attributed to Gran Grif leader Luckson Elan, suggested the attack was retaliation for assaults on their base in Savien by a rival armed group. The authenticity of the recording could not be independently verified.
Daily Sabah emphasizes the authorities' failure to provide security and the complete abandonment of the Artibonite region to armed groups. The outlet highlights the significant discrepancy between official death tolls and human rights group estimates.