Attacks carried out since January 27, 2025, in Kenscoff, a town in the hills above Port-au-Prince, have left at least 262 dead and 66 injured, at least 53% of whom were members of the population and 47% individuals associated with criminal groups, according to a report published Monday, April 7, by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"The information collected and verified by our teams following a thorough investigation establish that the attacks against Kenscoff were extremely brutal to create panic among the population," said the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Haiti and Head of BINUH, Maria Isabel Salvador.

Men, women, and children were executed inside their homes, while others were shot dead on roads and trails while fleeing the violence. The victims' bodies were then burned. Sexual violence, including rape, was also committed against women and girls. Approximately 200 homes were destroyed or burned, and more than 3,000 people were forced to flee.

Criminal groups carried out these attacks to extend their control over the mountainous communities of Kenscoff and to destabilize the commune of Pétion-ville. By extending their influence over this area, criminal groups and their supporters also sought to further weaken the authorities.

On the first day of the attacks, January 27, 2025, Haitian security forces were deployed late. However, subsequently, despite limited resources and operating on multiple fronts across the capital, they gradually strengthened their presence in the commune of Kenscoff, with the support of the Multinational Security Support Mission.

This deployment helped slow the advance of criminal groups but has not yet restored public order.

Download the full report (16-page English PDF): https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/flash_report_20250222_kenscoff-en.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre