Haiti Gangs Open Fire on Journalists, Police Injured

Haiti Gangs Open Fire on Journalists, Police Injured \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Suspected gang members attacked journalists and police during the attempted reopening of Haiti’s largest hospital in Port-au-Prince, leaving casualties. Interim President Leslie Voltaire condemned the attack, promising justice. The assault underscores the growing dominance of gangs in Haiti’s capital, where healthcare facilities and infrastructure face ongoing threats.

Gang Violence Halts Haiti Hospital Reopening: Quick Look

• Attack Overview: Suspected gang members targeted journalists and police during the reopening of the General Hospital.
• Casualties: Interim President Voltaire reported fatalities but did not confirm specific numbers.
• Gang Responsibility: Johnson “Izo” André, leader of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, claimed responsibility for the attack.
• Impact on Healthcare: Gang violence continues to ravage Haiti’s healthcare system, pushing it toward collapse.
• Cholera Surge: Poor conditions have led to over 84,000 suspected cholera cases, according to UNICEF.

Deep Look:

Haiti’s precarious security situation took another tragic turn on Tuesday when suspected gang members opened fire during the attempted reopening of the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince. The attack targeted journalists and police officers gathered to cover the event, underscoring the stranglehold gangs maintain over the country’s capital. This violence not only disrupted efforts to restore essential healthcare services but also highlighted the growing risks faced by those documenting Haiti’s ongoing crises.

The Attack: A Coordinated Assault

The General Hospital, officially known as the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, was set to reopen after being shuttered for months due to violence. Instead, the event became a scene of chaos and bloodshed. As journalists and police gathered at the facility, suspected members of the powerful gang coalition Viv Ansanm unleashed gunfire. Interim President Leslie Voltaire confirmed casualties but did not provide specific numbers, though early reports suggested that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded.

Footage from the scene posted on social media showed a grisly tableau: two bloodied bodies on stretchers, one with a press credential, and at least three journalists lying on the hospital floor, apparently injured. The attackers’ intent became clear when Johnson “Izo” André, a leader of Viv Ansanm, released a video claiming responsibility for the assault. In the video, André declared that the gang had not authorized the hospital’s reopening, reaffirming their dominance in Port-au-Prince.

A Hospital at the Heart of Crisis

The General Hospital sits in the heart of Port-au-Prince, across from the national palace—a focal point of gang-police confrontations in recent months. Once a symbol of healthcare access, the hospital has been reduced to rubble and debris. Bullet-ridden walls and abandoned equipment serve as grim reminders of the violent battles that forced its closure earlier this year.

Efforts to regain control of the hospital were seen as a critical step toward restoring some semblance of stability in the capital. Former Prime Minister Garry Conille toured the ravaged facility in July after authorities briefly regained control. However, the attack on Tuesday revealed just how tenuous that control remains.

Haiti’s Health System in Collapse

Haiti’s healthcare infrastructure has been decimated by the ongoing violence. The General Hospital’s closure earlier this year was part of a larger pattern of attacks on medical institutions. Looting, arson, and gang raids have left hospitals and clinics in ruins. Pharmacies have been ransacked, medical supplies destroyed, and staff forced to flee.

The consequences have been devastating. Patients with urgent medical needs are often unable to access care, and overburdened facilities struggle to meet the needs of the injured and ill. The rainy season has compounded these issues, increasing the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. According to UNICEF, there have been over 84,000 suspected cholera cases, and the inability to provide adequate medical care has exacerbated the crisis.

Targeting Journalists: A Deadly Pattern

The attack on journalists at the General Hospital is the latest in a troubling pattern of violence against the press in Haiti. In 2023, two journalists were killed in separate incidents. Radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in April, and journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month.

Tuesday’s attack serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those covering Haiti’s descent into chaos. Journalists play a crucial role in documenting gang violence, political instability, and the humanitarian crisis, but doing so increasingly puts them in harm’s way.

Gangs Tighten Their Grip

Port-au-Prince is now estimated to be 85% controlled by gangs, and the Viv Ansanm coalition has emerged as one of the most powerful groups. Under Johnson “Izo” André’s leadership, the coalition exerts influence over much of the capital, enforcing its will through violence and intimidation.

The coalition’s control over key areas, including the vicinity of the General Hospital, has made it nearly impossible for authorities to reassert power. Tuesday’s attack underscores the deep challenges faced by Haiti’s interim government as it seeks to restore order.

International Implications

Haiti’s spiraling security and humanitarian crisis have drawn calls for international intervention. The United Nations and other international organizations have called for immediate action to address the country’s instability, including bolstering security forces and providing humanitarian aid. However, progress has been slow, leaving Haiti’s interim government to grapple with the escalating crisis largely on its own.

The Path Forward

The attack on the General Hospital represents more than just a disruption of healthcare services—it symbolizes the broader collapse of state authority in Haiti. The violence has left the healthcare system on the brink of total failure, exacerbating the suffering of an already vulnerable population.

Interim President Leslie Voltaire vowed justice for the victims of Tuesday’s attack, stating that the crime “will not go unpunished.” However, delivering on that promise will require confronting the entrenched power of gangs like Viv Ansanm.

As Haiti continues to grapple with its multifaceted crises, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene decisively. Without a coordinated effort to address the root causes of Haiti’s instability—poverty, corruption, and lack of security—the cycle of violence and suffering is likely to persist.

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