Hostages rescued in Gonaives in struggle to take back control of Artibonite region

GONAIVES — In a joint operation Monday, units of the Haitian National Police (PNH), alongside forces from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), rescued multiple hostages held by the notorious Kokorat San Ras gang. The four-hour raid in La Croix-Périsse, a small town near Gonaives, marked a significant step in the ongoing efforts to regain control of the Artibonite region, which violent gangs have overrun.

According to a source within the Haitian police, the operation involved several units of the PNH and MSS, including Kenyan officers, who strategically entered the gang’s stronghold. The source, speaking with The Haitian Times on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the joint task force aimed to rescue hostages and disrupt the Kokorat San Ras gang’s activities. Several gang members were killed during the raid, though the exact number has not been confirmed, and others fled.

The Kokorat San Ras gang has been terrorizing residents across Artibonite, particularly in L’Estère and along National Road #1, which serves as a vital transportation route connecting northern Haiti to Port-au-Prince. The gang is notorious for kidnappings, extortion, and murder, bringing economic activity to a halt in some parts of the region.

Just days after an earlier police operation on Oct. 8, the gang resumed its activities, prompting this latest raid.

“The hostages had been kidnapped the week prior, and this operation was crucial to bringing them to safety,” said the police source. The number of rescued hostages has not been disclosed, but police confirm all were returned safely to their families.

The operation is the second major effort by PNH forces in recent weeks. 

On Oct. 11, local police arrested Edson Arisma, a motorcycle taxi driver believed to be working with Gerbens “Bendji,” the second-in-command of the Kokorat San Ras gang.

Escalating violence in Artibonite

Gang violence in Artibonite has reached alarming levels. In August, the Kokorat San Ras gang carried out a massacre in the commune of Gros-Morne, forcing residents to pay nearly $300 per household in protection fees. The gang continues to disrupt daily life in the region, setting up illegal checkpoints on National Road #1, where they demand extortion fees from truck drivers and residents attempting to travel between northern Haiti and the capital.

The Gran Grif gang, another powerful criminal group in the region, has also left a trail of devastation. On Oct. 3, Gran Grif attacked several communities, resulting in more than 70 deaths and displacing at least 3,000 residents. These gangs have collectively killed over 200 people between June and October 2024, according to combined reports.

Despite the increased deployment of police units and MSS forces, many residents remain fearful as gangs continue to assert control over large swaths of the region.

Police efforts and skepticism

The new Departmental Director of Police in Artibonite, Divisional Commissioner Kalerbe Exantus, has vowed to increase police presence along National Road #1 to prevent further kidnappings and attacks. However, skepticism remains high among locals, who have seen gangs expand their power despite multiple police operations.

“The gangs are still here, and people are afraid to leave their homes,” said one resident of Liancourt, a town heavily impacted by gang activity. “The police come and go, but the gangs stay.”

“This is the first time in a long time we’ve seen such a coordinated response from the police and their international partners. We just hope it’s the beginning of real change.”

 A local shopkeeper in Gonaives

Civil society organizations in Artibonite, such as the Mobilization Committee Against Gangs and Insecurity in Artibonite (COMOGINDA), have criticized the government’s response as inadequate.

“There is a lack of will on the part of the police to curb acts of bandits,” said Jobed Jeannite, one of the committee’s organizers. Jeannite and other activists are calling for more decisive action to eliminate the threat of gangs like Kokorat San Ras and Gran Grif.

While the situation remains dire, the success of the recent rescue operation has given some residents a sense of hope.

 “This is the first time in a long time we’ve seen such a coordinated response from the police and their international partners,” said a local shopkeeper in Gonaives. “We just hope it’s the beginning of real change.”

For now, the road to restoring peace and stability in Artibonite remains fraught with challenges. The gangs continue to exploit the weaknesses in the country’s security apparatus, and with each passing day, more residents are forced to flee their homes. 

“The recent operations by the PNH and MSS are a positive step, but lasting security in Artibonite will require sustained efforts and stronger governmental support,” some residents said.

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Hostages rescued in Gonaives in struggle to take back control of Artibonite region was first posted on October 15, 2024 at 11:03 am.