Fear grips Haiti’s northwest as gangs push violence beyond the capital

PORT-DE-PAIX — As armed gangs tighten their grip beyond Port-au-Prince, residents of Haiti’s Northwest say their once-quiet coastal cities are now facing a surge in violence that mirrors the insecurity long endured in the capital, the Centre and lower Artibonite departments.

In recent days, Port-de-Paix and the neighboring town of Saint-Louis-du-Nord have reported a wave of armed robberies, sexual assaults and looting—crimes that have left residents fearful and disrupted daily life as the year-end holiday season approaches. Despite mounting complaints, police have yet to announce any arrests or specific measures to contain the violence.

The expansion marks a troubling pattern: after consolidating control in Port-au-Prince, gangs linked to the Viv Ansanm coalition have increasingly pushed into provincial towns, including Mirebalais, Saut-d’Eau, Sarasin in the Centre Department, parts of Artibonite and now the northwest.

Nightly attacks in Port-de-Paix

Port-de-Paix, long considered one of the country’s more peaceful cities, has seen nightly attacks across several neighborhoods, residents said. Criminals operate largely after dark, targeting pedestrians, vendors and travelers.

“After leaving the hospital morgue with my father’s body, bandits robbed us of our phones, money and identification,” said Vladimy Jean, who was attacked with relatives near Immaculée Conception Hospital around 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 15. “Even after I told them my father had just died, they showed no mercy.”

Victims say the attackers often wear Haitian National Police uniforms to deceive residents. They travel by motorcycle and set up at key intersections and road junctions.

A reported Viv Ansanm cell has also been spotted along the coastal road connecting Port-de-Paix to Cap-Haïtien through Borgne, a neighboring commune in the northern department, disrupting the movement of people and goods between the north, northwest and northeast. The route had become an alternative to National Road No. 5, which the Kokorat San Ras gangs near Gonaïves and Gros-Morne in Artibonite had long controlled.

Fear spreads to Saint-Louis-du-Nord, vendors hit hard

In Saint-Louis-du-Nord, residents report a resurgence of violence attributed to the Ti Rach gang, a Kokorat San Ras cell — an affiliate of the Viv Ansanm coalition, further deepening fears ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Jéir Pierre, the regional government commissioner, acknowledged growing insecurity at a Dec. 9 media briefing, citing resource constraints.

“The responsibility lies with the [central government] authorities, because we do not have the necessary resources to allow the police to act effectively,” Pierre said, calling for more officers, vehicles and equipment to combat gang assaults on residents.

He said that as few as three armored vehicles could help police regain control in Saint-Louis-du-Nord, but none have been deployed so far.

The violence has taken a heavy economic toll on small traders, many of whom rely on the holiday season for income.

Stécie Antoine, 32, said she was recently attacked around 5 a.m. on Nov. 29, while traveling to the Rivière-des-Barres market with goods from Port-de-Paix. Bandits stole her merchandise and wallet, costing her more than 250,000 gourdes, about $2,000.

“I’m now in debt, and my 7-year-old daughter may not be able to stay in school,” Antoine said.

Other residents say businesses are closing early, nightlife has disappeared and fear now defines daily routines.

“Every year I sold food during holiday events,” said Gerdeline Desrivières, 48. “This year I had to stop [due to gang violence]. It’s going to be very hard.”

Calls for state action

Residents say security was stronger in the past, when administrative police officers regularly patrolled the area, compared with the current deployment of the Departmental Unit for Maintaining Order (UDMO).

“We feel abandoned,” said Idelson Marc-Céreste, 35. “We’re asking the state to send reinforcements immediately, especially during the holidays.”

In September, members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition attacked Bassin-Bleu, a town about 17 miles south of Port-de-Paix — a reminder, residents say, that the Northwest Department is increasingly within the gangs’ reach.

As violence spreads farther from the capital, many fear that without swift intervention, the Northwest could face the same prolonged insecurity that has paralyzed much of Haiti.

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