Haiti is once again engulfed in horrific violence. Over the weekend, an armed gang led by Monel “Mikano” Felix killed at least 184 people in Port-au-Prince. This massacre was reportedly an act of revenge, as Felix blamed followers of a voodoo cult for the death of his son. The gang targeted elderly people and voodoo practitioners, accusing them of witchcraft.
The chilling details of this tragedy reveal that Felix’s son had died from a mysterious illness, and a voodoo priest suggested it was caused by witchcraft. In retaliation, Felix ordered his gang to punish all elderly individuals and voodoo followers in the district. The gang executed a violent spree, murdering at least 60 people in the Cité Soleil slum on Friday, and another 50 on Saturday. Most of the victims were elderly, with many bodies mutilated and burned in the streets.
From CBS: '184 killed in Haiti, U.N. says, as gang leader allegedly orders massacre of elderly on voodoo priest's advice.' https://t.co/yXJ7Mp940w and https://t.co/IF2sRHVuQJ
— Byron York (@ByronYork) December 11, 2024
The impact of this massacre is devastating. The community is left in shock and mourning. The United Nations condemned the killings as a “monstrous crime,” while the Haitian government vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Yet, the grim reality remains: Haiti has been plagued by gang violence for years, and the authorities have struggled to maintain control. These gangs, which dominate much of the capital, have been responsible for thousands of murders and kidnappings this year.
The sheer brutality of this massacre is staggering. Gang members used machetes and knives to execute their victims, leaving their bodies mutilated and burned. The scale of this violence is reminiscent of the worst atrocities in Haiti’s history of political and social unrest.
Haiti has long faced significant challenges, from natural disasters to political instability. The current wave of gang violence is only the latest in a series of crises. The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 plunged the country into deeper turmoil, and the transitional government has struggled to restore order. Despite international calls for more support, the situation remains dire.
This massacre in Port-au-Prince serves as a brutal reminder of Haiti’s ongoing violence and instability. The killings have left the community devastated, and they underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of the violence. As the world watches, it is crucial to support efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability to Haiti.
Sources:
https://www.wlrn.org/americas/2024-12-11/micanor-haiti-gang-massacre
https://www.wgbh.org/news/2024-12-09/massacre-in-haiti-leaves-almost-200-dead-says-un
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/haiti-neighbourhod-gang-massacre-1.7406106
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/11/haitis-vodou-murders-why-did-a-gang-kill-nearly-200-people
https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/international/report-more-than-100-dead-in-massacre-in-haiti-2479486
https://news.yahoo.com/news/haiti-gang-massacre-leaves-over-215247780.html