Horror in Haiti: Over 110 Elderly Massacred in Gang-Ordered Attack Amid Witchcraft Accusations

In a horrifying tragedy underscoring Haiti’s deepening crisis of lawlessness, over 110 elderly individuals were brutally killed in the Cité Soleil slum over the weekend. The massacre, reportedly ordered by Monel “Mikano” Felix, leader of the Wharf Jeremie gang, was allegedly motivated by accusations of witchcraft targeting his sick child, according to the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH).

Gang Leader’s Alleged Motivation

RNDDH reported that Felix sought guidance from a Voodoo priest after his child fell ill. The priest accused elderly residents in the area of using witchcraft to harm the child. Acting on these accusations, Felix allegedly ordered his gang members to carry out the killings. At least 60 people were killed on Friday and another 50 on Saturday using machetes and knives. All victims were over 60, highlighting the specific targeting of older adults in the attack. Tragically, Felix’s child passed away on Saturday afternoon.

A Community in Crisis

Cité Soleil, a densely populated slum near the port of Port-au-Prince, is among Haiti’s poorest and most violent neighborhoods. Residents face significant obstacles in sharing information about the massacre due to gang-imposed restrictions, including limits on mobile phone usage and communication.

The United Nations estimates that Felix’s gang includes around 300 members operating not only in Wharf Jeremie but also in nearby areas such as Fort Dimanche and La Saline. La Saline was the site of a 2018 massacre where at least 71 civilians were killed, and hundreds of homes were burned to the ground.

A Pattern of Gang Violence

Gang violence has escalated across Haiti in recent years. In October, the Gran Grif gang massacred at least 115 people in Pont-Sondé, Haiti’s breadbasket Artibonite region. The attack was reportedly retaliation against residents working with self-defense groups to counter the gang’s road toll operations. These recurring incidents illustrate the unchecked power of gangs in the absence of a functioning government and robust security infrastructure.

Calls for International Action

Haitian authorities have struggled to rein in armed gangs. In 2022, the government requested international assistance for the national police. While the United Nations approved a mission in 2023, its deployment has been minimal and underfunded. Haitian leaders are advocating for the mission to be upgraded to a fully resourced peacekeeping force. However, opposition from China and Russia in the U.N. Security Council has stalled these efforts.

One prominent figure in Haiti’s gang landscape is Jimmy “Barbecue,” a former police officer sanctioned by the United Nations. Now the leader of the Viv Ansanm gang alliance in Port-au-Prince, he is accused of orchestrating the 2018 La Saline massacre, among other crimes. His prominence symbolizes the impunity enjoyed by gang leaders in the country.

A Nation at the Brink

As Haiti struggles with political instability, rampant gang violence, and a lack of international support, its most vulnerable citizens continue to suffer. The Cité Soleil massacre is a grim reminder of the urgent need for effective governance and international intervention to restore order and protect civilian lives.

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