At least 47 people were killed and dozens kidnapped in a gang attack in Haiti’s Kenscoff region. The United States condemned the attack in the strongest terms and supported calls for those responsible to be held accountable and for state authority to be restored in Haiti.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, UN Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs Jennifer Locetta criticized armed groups for targeting civilians and threatening Haiti’s democratic future. Locetta expressed her condolences for the civilians who lost their lives.
Gangs threaten Haitians’ right to vote
Locetta said the Kenscoff attack, which followed months of deadly violence, demonstrated the scale of Haiti’s security crisis. She accused gangs of killing civilians, terrorizing communities, burning homes and tearing families apart.
Locetta said gang coalitions were trying to prevent Haitians from exercising their right to choose their representatives in future elections, stressing that civilians must be protected from gang violence.
Locetta said the United States stood with Haitian authorities in demanding accountability for those responsible for the attack, an end to impunity for gangs and the restoration of state authority.
Call for personnel and resources for UN mission
Locetta said Washington would continue supporting Haiti-led security efforts aimed at ending gang violence, adding that the Kenscoff attack demonstrated the need for the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force mission.
Locetta said the mission must go beyond statements and actively confront armed groups. She called on countries providing troops and police to send personnel and urged UN members to contribute to the mission’s trust fund.
Locetta said the Gang Suppression Force needed equipment, resources and political will to carry out its mandate, and called on Security Council members to renew the mission’s mandate next month. She said the United States expected to work with Panama, the council’s co-penholder, on the renewal.
Security operations alone are not enough
Locetta also acknowledged that security operations alone could not bring lasting stability to Haiti. She said credible alternatives to gang violence must be created, accountable governance strengthened, and international investment directed toward infrastructure, capital and employment.
Haiti’s general elections are scheduled to take place on December 13, for the first time in more than a decade.
