Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 4:39 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: Today, dozens of Haitians swam across the Artibonite River to escape a brutal gang assault in the central town of Petite Rivière, which has been under siege since April 24, AP reports.
Videos showed residents wading through the river with belongings held high, fleeing an attack blamed on the powerful Gran Grif gang, now joined by the Viv Ansanm coalition.
The gang has reportedly taken control of much of the town, leaving several dead, including an 11-year-old child.
Gunfire continues near the historic Crête-à-Pierrot fort, as police try to resist the takeover.
The assault is part of a wider surge in gang violence that has plagued central Haiti, including deadly attacks in Mirebalais and Saut d’Eau.
According to a U.N. report, over 1,600 people were killed across Haiti from January to March, with most violence concentrated in gang-controlled areas.
The U.N.-backed Kenyan-led police mission remains underfunded and short-staffed, limiting its response.
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The post International News: Haitians flee gang violence by swimming across country’s longest river appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 4:39 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: Today, dozens of Haitians swam across the Artibonite River to escape a brutal gang assault
The post International News: Haitians flee gang violence by swimming across country’s longest river appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
