Arr, ye scurvy dogs! The UN be warnin' of a bloody increase in killings and kidnappin's in Haiti, while armed forces be stuck in their tracks!
2024-02-01
Arr, mateys! In the treacherous waters o' the Caribbean, the 4Q of 2023 bore witness to a dark tale. A fearsome report from the mighty UN reveals that o'er 2,300 souls were lost or snatched away, all thanks to the heinous violence plaguin' our chaotic lands. Aye, beware the territorial gang quarrels!
A new U.N. report reveals that from October to December last year, over 2,300 people in Haiti were killed, injured, or kidnapped, marking a nearly 10% increase compared to the previous quarter. The spike in killings, surpassing 1,600 during this period, was attributed to the power vacuum left by the death of gang leader Andrice Isca, which led to territorial fights in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince. The clashes primarily occurred between the G-9 Family and Allies gang federation and the opposition gang coalition, G-Pep. The violence resulted in over 1,000 people being displaced from their homes.The report also highlights the alarming rise in kidnappings, with nearly 700 people being abducted from October to December, a 20% increase compared to the previous quarter. The victims range from street vendors and farmers to high-level professionals, including doctors and civil servants. The gangs not only engage in kidnapping but also subject women and girls to rape, often recording and posting the videos online to humiliate them.
Children are also not spared from the violence, with more than 50 being killed in the last quarter alone. The report recounts the tragic story of a 10-year-old boy who was executed by the Grand Ravine gang after being accused of being a police informant. The impact of gang violence on Haiti's population is dire, with over 310,000 people left homeless, including 170,000 children.
In response to the escalating crisis, the report recommends the international community to expedite the deployment of a foreign armed force. However, the arrival of such a force seems unlikely, as Haiti's request for assistance was made over a year ago and has faced legal challenges, such as a recent court ruling in Kenya deeming it unconstitutional. The situation remains precarious, with the number of casualties in Haiti more than doubling from the previous year.