UN condemns reported Haitian village massacre by armed gangs

At least 40 people are said to have been killed in an armed gang attack in a fishing town north of Haiti’s capital, which the UN secretary-general has denounced. The attack occurred in Labodrie on Thursday night, according to extensive media coverage in Haiti. It is yet another indication that gang violence has escalated beyond the city.

“The secretary-general is alarmed by the levels of violence rocking Haiti and urges the Haitian authorities to ensure that perpetrators of these and all other human rights abuses and violations are brought to justice,” the UN said in a statement.

Regarding the reported killings, a national police spokesperson declined to comment.

According to Haitian media, after a gang leader named Vladimir was killed, gangs set Labodrie on fire. In May, the United States designated the gang alliance he belonged to, Viv Ansanm, as a terrorist organization.

According to the US State Department, one of the main reasons for Haiti’s instability and bloodshed is the Viv Ansanm alliance. Its members have expanded into neighboring communities and seized control of substantial portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince.