Mirebalais, a key city in the Central Department, appears on the verge of becoming lost territory, plunging into growing chaos after an attack of alarming magnitude. Early on the morning of March 31, residents of this town were gripped by terror following a brutal offensive carried out by gangs from the Viv Ansanm coalition, particularly those from Canaan.
The attack began at 3 a.m. Taking advantage of the confusion and the slumber of residents, the assailants launched an assault on the city’s front-line defenses. Despite the heroic efforts of local brigadiers, known as Bakòp Feray, their resistance was not enough. After more than two hours of fierce combat, the gangs managed to advance, spreading panic among the population.
Heavy gunfire echoed through the streets, shattering the morning’s calm. Several neighborhoods quickly turned into high-tension zones. The attack created an unbearable climate of terror, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
As the violence escalated, the people of Mirebalais, desperate and abandoned, had no choice but to flee the city. Carrying suitcases and a few possessions, both children and adults rushed out of their homes, desperately seeking safer refuge. Some left with only the clothes on their backs, a heartbreaking testament to the brutality and speed of the attack.
This mass exodus took on dramatic proportions, fueled by fear of indiscriminate violence and the local authorities’ inability to contain the assault. Many residents fled to safer areas, hoping to escape the gang rampage, while others sought shelter in neighboring houses or makeshift refuges. However, the situation remains uncertain and chaotic, and many do not know where to go to escape the violence.
The Bakòp Feray brigadiers, supported by an insufficient number of police officers, have been relentlessly fighting since dawn to defend the city. But despite their bravery, they are overwhelmed by the scale of the assault. The lack of significant reinforcements from national security forces further weakens their position. Without adequate assistance, their ability to protect the city diminishes by the minute.
The attack on Mirebalais is just one episode in the wave of violence that has devastated Haiti for years. Gangs, such as those in the Viv Ansanm coalition, have gained increasing control over territories, sowing anarchy and imposing a reign of terror. The government, already weakened by a major political and economic crisis, struggles to restore order, leaving cities like Mirebalais vulnerable to attacks.
Local authorities, despite their efforts on the ground, lack the resources and equipment to curb the growing influence of gangs. The situation continues to deteriorate, and Mirebalais, like other regions of the country, seems doomed to an uncertain future. So far, no substantial reinforcements have been sent by the national security forces.
The situation in Mirebalais is far from resolved, and Haitian authorities are facing an immense challenge. The city risks becoming yet another symbol of the devastation Haiti has endured for too many years. Once a peaceful town, Mirebalais now teeters on the edge of destruction, sinking into an abyss of violence and chaos. The question remains: will the authorities, lacking resources and allies, be able to face this challenge, or will this crisis mark the beginning of an irreversible decline for the region? Only time will tell, but for now, uncertainty and fear continue to dominate the daily lives of its residents.
Text: Mederson Alcindor
