The National Police of Haiti reported in a statement that it has managed to take control of several areas and continues to pursue gang members. In a video circulating on social media, criminals are seen displaying automatic weapons and proclaiming that they have conquered parts of Solino, warning those who are not part of the gang coalition 'Viv Ansanm' that they will be 'reduced to ashes.'
The coalition, known as 'Viv Ansanm,' has carried out attacks in various neighborhoods, including Tabarre 27, forcing more than 4,200 people to flee, according to a report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Some of those affected have found refuge in a school, a church, and a health center.
On the other hand, the gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince have threatened journalists who reported on the recent violence, going so far as to name them and order their deaths. The coalition 'Viv Ansanm,' which translates to 'Living Together,' emerged in September 2023 as the union of two previously rival gangs.
This coalition has been responsible for significant attacks on public infrastructure in February, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Furthermore, it has banded together to confront a UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police aimed at controlling gang violence in Haiti.
The clash between gangs decreased by 78% from March to August, following the formation of the 'Viv Ansanm' coalition, according to a report by the American organization ACLED. This report highlights that the alliance among the gangs has allowed them to concentrate their resources on criminal activities and establish fronts against security forces rather than engage in internal conflicts.
The Haitian police have faced an armed group that attempted to take over Solino, one of the few communities in Port-au-Prince not under gang control. Since Thursday, this community has been under attack, forcing residents to flee their homes in search of protection in makeshift shelters, where displaced people from previous episodes of gang violence are also found.
