At least 47 killed and dozens kidnapped in gang attack near Haiti capital

At least 47 people, including five children, were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped when armed men attacked the community of Kenscoff on the outskirts of Port au Prince on Sunday. The United Nations confirmed the casualties on Tuesday, noting that the incident is one of the largest mass kidnappings in the country in recent years. A gang leader identified as Izo 2, who reportedly coordinates with powerful gang leader Johnson André, posted a video on social media threatening to kill the hostages if the National Police kill any gang members during rescue attempts.

Kenscoff is a strategically important residential area located in the mountains above the capital. According to the mayor of Kenscoff, Jean Massillon, members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition set fire to 25 homes during the attack. Two government employees were among the dead. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence, stating that it underscores alarming security conditions and the need for international and domestic security efforts.

Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, described the attack as a major political and security test for the government and the international mission. He suggested the attack could be a show of force ahead of general elections scheduled for December 13, intended to prove that government claims of protection do not match reality. Some survivors accused the government of failing to provide adequate protection, though police rejected these claims.

Recent UN statistics released this week indicate that more than 3,050 people were killed in Haiti between January and June 2026. Gang violence has displaced an estimated 1.5 million people, and the UN reported nearly 800 rapes and over 80 kidnappings between April and June alone.