The commune of Kenscoff, located on the heights of Port-au-Prince, was once again the scene of a violent attack by armed gangs this Friday, August 7. An armored vehicle belonging to the Haitian National Police (PNH) fell into an ambush set by members of the criminal coalition “Viv ansanm” in the locality of Viard. The toll is heavy: three police officers were injured, and their armored vehicle was completely set ablaze by the assailants.
According to initial reports, the police patrol was heading toward the Viard area when it fell into a sophisticated trap. The bandits had dug a deep hole in the road to immobilize the vehicle. Trapped and vulnerable, the PNH officers came under heavy gunfire from the gangs. Three of them were wounded in the attack before managing to evacuate the armored vehicle, which was subsequently torched by the criminals.
This new attack takes place against a backdrop of chronic insecurity that has plagued Kenscoff for more than eighteen months. Once considered a haven of peace and a thriving agricultural area on the outskirts of the capital, this commune of approximately 65,000 inhabitants has become a hunting ground for armed gangs. Since early 2025, gang incursions have multiplied, spreading terror among the local population.
The mayor of Kenscoff, Jean Massillon, has repeatedly alerted authorities to the deteriorating situation. He denounces repeated attacks that have forced hundreds of families to flee their homes, with vehicles burned and dwellings set on fire. “The bandits have killed many people. They have burned numerous cars, set several houses on fire, and forced families to flee,” he said, describing a population in tears, often without news of their loved ones.
Security forces are paying a heavy price in this strategic commune. In August 2025, a similar ambush had already claimed the lives of two officers from the Departmental Intervention and Operations Brigade (BOID) and left three others wounded. These tragic events illustrate the determination of armed groups to extend their grip on this mountainous area overlooking the capital.
Beyond Kenscoff, Haiti’s overall security situation remains extremely critical. Gangs now control approximately 90% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, where the resurgence of kidnappings terrorizes the population on a daily basis. Ransom kidnappings, which had seen a slight decline, are now experiencing an alarming uptick as armed groups seek new sources of funding.
The threat is no longer limited to the capital. The Artibonite department, the country’s agricultural breadbasket, is also affected by gang violence. Kidnapping cases have been reported there in recent days, confirming the geographical expansion of criminal activities. According to a United Nations report from October 2025, intentional homicides in the Artibonite and Centre departments increased by 210% between January and August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This surge demonstrates the gangs’ ability to extend their influence far beyond the capital’s limits.
In response to this escalation of violence, the international community established the Gang Repression Force (FRG), a robust operation authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793 in September 2025. With an authorized strength of 5,500 personnel, the FRG has an expanded mandate to conduct counter-gang operations, either independently or in support of the PNH and the Haitian Armed Forces.
The mission is equipped with enhanced logistical capabilities, including armored troop transport vehicles provided by the United States. The FRG claims to be conducting joint patrols in several sensitive areas, including Kenscoff and its surroundings.
However, despite these announcements and the reinforcement of personnel, the force has not yet truly engaged in large-scale operations in the most active gang strongholds. Questions persist regarding its deployment and its actual effectiveness on the ground. When questioned about the delays, the mission cites a “progressive and structured” installation to ensure the effectiveness of future interventions. This sluggishness is perceived as a failure by local authorities and the population, who are demanding urgent action to dislodge the armed groups.
Friday’s ambush in Viard is yet another wake-up call about the urgency of decisive action. Haitian police officers, on the front lines, are paying a bloody toll in a war that exceeds their capacities, while the population of Kenscoff, abandoned, lives in terror. The appeals from Mayor Jean Massillon to authorities for greater logistical resources remain unanswered for now.
As the FRG finalizes its preparations, the gangs continue to expand their grip and inflict losses on security forces. The urgency now lies in coordinated military action, backed by adequate logistical resources and a comprehensive strategy to regain control of strategic areas like Kenscoff and stem the spiral of violence engulfing the country.
