As heavily armed gangs continue to wreak havoc in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, a chorus of voices, including civilians and police officers, is clamoring for the dismissal and arrest of the country’s police chief. The latest attack unfolded in the coastal community of Gressier, where armed assailants launched a brazen assault, leaving destruction in their wake. The assailants injured civilians, torched vehicles, and terrorized residents, prompting scores of people to flee into the mountains to escape the barrage of gunfire.

Amid the chaos, videos circulating on social media captured the harrowing scenes of residents fleeing for safety, while armed individuals celebrated their control over the town. The audacious attack, which comes on the heels of previous assaults in central Port-au-Prince, underscores the dire security situation gripping the nation.

Garry Jean-Baptiste, a spokesperson for the SPNH-17 police union, minced no words in his condemnation of Police Chief Frantz Elbé, labeling him as incapable and incompetent. According to Jean-Baptiste, the union is calling for Elbé’s resignation and urging justice officials to launch an investigation into the crisis. The union alleges that Elbé and other high-ranking officials are complicit with the gangs, exacerbating the security crisis.

The brazen attack on Gressier further highlights the vulnerability of law enforcement in the face of relentless gang violence. With over 30 police stations and substations attacked and burned in recent months, the police force is grappling with a severe shortage of resources and personnel to combat the escalating threat posed by criminal gangs.

The attack on Gressier was reportedly orchestrated by gunmen from neighboring communities, adding to the complexity of the security challenges facing Haiti. Renel Destina, also known as “Ti Lapli,” a leader of the Grand Ravine gang, holds sway over the area, perpetuating a cycle of violence and lawlessness.

The escalating violence has triggered a mass exodus of Haitians fleeing their homes, seeking refuge from the gang-infested territories. With hundreds of thousands displaced and living in squalid conditions, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

As Haiti teeters on the brink of collapse, calls for international assistance grow louder. Veteran politician André Michel contends that Haiti cannot combat the scourge of gangs without outside intervention, echoing the sentiments of many who advocate for a multinational force to restore order and stability to the beleaguered nation. Despite delays in the deployment of foreign troops, hope lingers that international assistance will arrive soon to stem the tide of violence and pave the way for peace and security in Haiti.