In a devastating act of violence, members of the Gran Grif gang attacked the town of Pont-Sondé in central Haiti on Thursday, leaving at least 70 people dead, including three infants. The United Nations Human Rights Office confirmed the attack, which also resulted in 16 serious injuries, widespread property damage, and the displacement of thousands of residents.

The gang used automatic rifles to carry out the assault, killing 10 women, three infants, and dozens of others in the Artibonite department, a key agricultural region roughly 50 miles north of Port-au-Prince. The gang also set fire to 45 homes and 34 vehicles during the attack, forcing many to flee in terror. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 6,000 people have been displaced due to the violence.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the attack, calling it “an odious crime” that targeted innocent women, men, and children. He vowed that law enforcement would intensify efforts to curb the escalating violence. “This is not only an attack on these victims but on the entire Haitian nation,” he said, promising that those responsible would face justice.

The Haitian Ministry of Health responded to the tragedy by mobilizing resources to aid victims, though they faced challenges due to the tense security situation in the region. Local institutions have begun to care for the victims despite the difficult circumstances.

The Gran Grif gang, considered the most powerful in the Artibonite region, is led by Luckson Elan, who was recently sanctioned by the United States for human rights abuses, including kidnapping, murder, and sexual violence. Gang violence has intensified across Haiti, with the UN reporting over 3,600 deaths since January 2024. Thursday’s massacre is yet another example of the lawlessness gripping the country, where gangs frequently overpower the Haitian National Police.

In response, the United Nations has called for additional financial and logistical support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, a foreign security force that arrived in Haiti in June to restore order. The UN also urged a thorough investigation into the attack and reparations for the victims.

Despite the ongoing violence, Prime Minister Conille remains defiant. “You will not subdue this people who have always fought for their dignity and freedom. We will never give up our right to live in peace, in security, and in justice,” he declared.