Gang attacks kill 3 police officers, 9 civilians in Artibonite, sparking outrage over government inaction

GONAÏVES — At least three officers from the Departmental Law Enforcement Unit (UDMO) were killed on Tuesday, July 22, during an operation in Liancourt—a commune in the lower Artibonite—when their armored vehicle was ambushed and burned by members of the Gran Grif gang. In a separate attack, armed men from Kokorat San Ras, whose leader was killed by a local self-defense brigade, stormed the neighboring Kanpenyen community in L’Estère and murdered at least nine people. These incidents highlight the latest wave of ongoing violence in the region.

These police officers, identified by the authorities as Jean Louis Daniel, Dareus Daniel and Fegensly Mertus, distressed, spent hours waiting for reinforcements that never arrived.

“We have received information that the police officers were the victims of a criminal act carried out by members of the Gran Grif gang,” Féquière Casséus, spokesperson for the Haitian National Police (PNH) in Artibonite, told The Haitian Times. 

“We are still compiling the reports before releasing more details.”

The Gran Grif gang—designated a terrorist organization earlier this year by the Trump administration— is one of the most feared armed groups in the region. It has been the target of ongoing police operations aimed at reclaiming control of Savien and Liancourt, two communes that have been occupied since as early as 2018. Videos circulating on social media showed the aftermath of the ambush—an immobilized armored police vehicle in flames and the bodies of the slain officers being desecrated by men waving red handkerchiefs.

These latest killings echo a 2023 incident in which seven UDMO agents were slain at the Liancourt police station. The attacks have reignited criticism over the government’s failure to curb gang violence and adequately equip the police.

“There is no genuine will to combat the armed groups that operate with impunity,” said André Saint-Louis, coordinator of the human rights organization—Committee for Peace Initiative in the Lower Artibonite (KILBA). “The Presidential Transitional Council [CPT] remains inactive and appears unconcerned about the dire situation facing the Haitian people.”

The Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF), Patrick Pélissier, confirmed that on July 18 he disbursed 117,130,000 gourdes, or about $901,000, to mobilize the necessary resources for the PNH’s anti-gang operations.

Saint-Louis said the number of officers killed in clashes with Gran Grif in recent days may be as high as four. He added that eight weapons were seized and one armored vehicle torched in the ambush. “The fallen officers were deployed in deplorable conditions, without adequate ammunition or proper equipment,” he said.

In addition to Liancourt and L’Estère, other areas in the region like Pont-Sondé, Gros-Morne, Verrettes, Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite and La Chapelle have been especially affected by rampant gang violence, with residents being consistently killed, kidnapped, extorted or forced to flee their homes. 

Gang leader killed by self-defense brigade in L’Estère

Just days earlier, July 17 to 18, another deadly incident unfolded in Kanpenyen—a community in L’Estère, where members of the Kokorat San Ras gang killed nine civilians. The attack, reportedly in retaliation, came shortly before the gang’s notorious leader, Fadens “Meyè” Tilus, was killed by an armed self-defense group known as the “Coalition.”

A source with insider information confirmed Tilus’ death to The Haitian Times, though police officials have not verified it. “We treat this information with the utmost seriousness, but at this time we cannot confirm whether the gang leader has been killed,” said Casseus, PNH spokesperson.

The victims in Kapenyen were described as peaceful residents, mostly engaged in agriculture. Their identities have not yet been released. Local authorities said more information will be shared at a forthcoming press briefing in Gonaïves.

Government Commissioner Guiverna Guillaume said he, too, learned of the massacre through the media. “We are collaborating with police forces to clarify what happened and restore security in the jurisdiction of Gonaïves,” he told The Haitian Times.

Residents demand action, threaten continued protests

In the wake of the violence, the Committee for Demobilization Against Gangs and Insecurity in Artibonite announced new mobilizations against the government’s inaction. The group’s spokesperson, Jécosiasse Pierre, condemned the killings in Kapenyen and demanded the removal of Artibonite’s top police official.

“We demand the immediate resignation of Commissioner Kalerb Exantus,” Pierre said. “His inefficiency has only enabled the rise in insecurity.”

Pierre also said National Road No. 1 would remain blocked in L’Estère, where supporters of Kokorat San Ras have disrupted traffic. Residents fleeing Kapenyen were seen arriving in Gonaïves with small bags and children in tow, seeking shelter from the violence.

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