The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of at least 40 people in a fishing village north of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following a violent gang attack. The assault occurred Thursday night in Labodrie, where armed groups reportedly set the community on fire after the death of a local gang leader known as Vladimir.
Vladimir was a member of Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang alliance designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. in May. According to the U.S. State Department, Viv Ansanm is a driving force behind Haiti’s worsening instability, controlling major parts of the capital and expanding its influence into nearby regions.
In a statement, the UN Secretary-General expressed alarm over escalating violence across Haiti and urged the authorities to bring those responsible for human rights abuses to justice. The National Police declined to comment on the killings, reflecting the growing challenges Haitian security forces face in combating organized criminal groups.
Gang violence has surged in recent months, leaving communities vulnerable to displacement, extortion, and deadly attacks. The crisis has spread beyond Port-au-Prince, threatening rural villages that were once spared from such brutality. The attack in Labodrie is seen as another sign that criminal groups are tightening their grip on the country.
The United States and other international bodies have repeatedly called for urgent action to restore stability in Haiti, stressing that gang coalitions like Viv Ansanm are a major obstacle to peace and governance.
As violence escalates, residents continue to demand protection and accountability, while global leaders push for justice and stronger measures to end the cycle of bloodshed.