At least 70 killed, 30 wounded in Haiti gang attack, rights group says

At least 70 people were reportedly killed and 30 wounded in an attack by gang members near Petite-Riviere in Haiti's Artibonite region, according to the Defenseurs Plus rights group. The attack, which began early Sunday and continued into Monday, targeted rural communities around Jean-Denis, with homes being set on fire. The violence has displaced an estimated 6,000 people. Conflicting reports exist, with official estimates initially reporting a lower death toll of around 16. The UN is monitoring the situation and calling for a thorough investigation. The attack is allegedly retaliation for attacks on the Gran Grif gang's base by a rival group. The Artibonite region, a vital agricultural area, has experienced increasing gang violence.

A gang attack in Haiti's Artibonite region on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people and injuries to 30 others, according to a human rights group, significantly higher than initial official reports. The attack, carried out by the Gran Grif gang in the Jean-Denis area, forced nearly 6,000 people to flee their homes. The UN has condemned the violence, highlighting the severity of Haiti's security situation, which has seen increasing gang-related conflict and displacement. The Artibonite region, a key agricultural area, has experienced escalating violence as gang activity spreads beyond Port-au-Prince. The US has designated Gran Grif and Viv Ansanm as terrorist organizations and offered rewards for information on their financial activities, while Haitian security forces, supported by international missions, continue operations against gangs controlling much of the capital.

The United States has offered a reward of up to $3 million for information regarding the financial activities of Haiti's Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif gangs. This reward, announced Wednesday, also includes the possibility of relocation for informants. Both groups, which control territory in Port-au-Prince, Artibonite, and central Haiti, have been designated as terrorist organizations by the US. This marks a shift from previous bounties focused on individual gang leaders. The aim is to disrupt the gangs' financial networks, as they have become more economically independent after gaining control over key areas. This initiative comes as Haitian security forces, supported by international forces, intensify attacks on the gangs.