2018 Port-au-Prince massacre
On 13 November 2018, a massacre began within the La Saline slums of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. According to reports, 15 to 25 civilians were killed over a 24-hour period. It is alleged that the killings were either due to local gang wars, or the actions of Haitian officials attempting to quell anti-corruption protests.
| 2018 Port-au-Prince massacre | |
|---|---|
| Location | La Saline, Port-au-Prince, Haiti |
| Date | 13–18 November 2018 around 3pm (UTC−05:00) |
Attack type | Mass shooting, mass sexual assault |
| Weapons | Automatic weapons, fire, machetes, rocks |
Background
In October 2017, U.N. peacekeepers ended their mission in Haiti after 13 years.[1] Since the departure of the U.N., the number of gang-controlled areas in the city has apparently grown.[2]
The massacre occurred in the middle of various protests within Haiti: Jovenel Moïse was elected president in November 2016, but protestors see him as a sign of corruption within the government.[3]
Incident
Witness reports state that a police truck carrying uniformed men arrived in Port-au-Prince's La Saline slums at around 3pm on 13 November 2018. The men then opened fire upon civilians, while local gang members killed others with gunfire and machetes. According to Witnesses, a human-rights group, at least 21 men were killed in the massacre.[2] A local human-rights group, Fondasyon Je Klere, estimated that between 15 and 25 people were killed.[4]
Arrests
According to police, one person has been arrested in connection with the killings.[2]
Identity of perpetrators
Fondasyon Je Klere suggested links between armed gangs, corrupt police officers and government officials may point towards the perpetrators of the massacre.[4] Those who witnessed the massacre also alleged that the killers may have been corrupt police officers, leading the National Police chief to suspend two officers accused of involvement in the killings.
Responses
The United Nations has launched an investigation into the killings.[2]
References
- "UN peacekeepers leave Haiti: What is their legacy? | Haiti News | Al Jazeera". www.aljazeera.com. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- "Witnesses: Men in Police Garb Massacred Civilians in Haiti". The New York Times. The Associated Press. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- Charles, Jacqueline (17 October 2018). "Thousands protest corruption in Haiti as president calls for unity and patience". miamiherald. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- Charles, Jacqueline (18 November 2018). "Anti-corruption protest in Haiti turns into referendum on Haitian president". miamiherald. Retrieved 15 January 2019.