At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 were kidnapped when armed men attacked the community of Kenscoff, near Haiti’s capital, earlier this week, the United Nations reported Tuesday. The incident is considered one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent years, with a gang leader threatening to kill the hostages if authorities harm any gang members during efforts to secure the area.
The attack on Sunday has challenged the notion that security was improving in the troubled Caribbean nation. Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, described the situation as a significant political and security test for the government, police, and the international mission. He noted that the threat against hostages serves as a strategic trap, potentially blaming the state if any harm befalls them.
One Kenscoff resident, Marc Paul, recounted how gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, and two cousins. His 16-year-old niece was also kidnapped and raped but managed to escape and reunite with him. Paul described fleeing over bodies and stated he cannot sleep knowing the fatalities.
In a social media video, the gang leader, identified as Izo 2, a figure associated with prominent gang leader Izo (Johnson André), threatened Vladimir Paraison, director of Haiti’s National Police. "Paraison, if any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them," the gang leader stated, referring to the hostages.
Le Cour suggested the attack’s aim might be to divert limited police and international mission resources, forcing them to deploy more personnel to Kenscoff at the expense of other areas. It could also be a display of power and a message to the government as Haiti prepares for general elections on December 13, the first in over a decade. "This is a message to the government and the police that their claims of protection do not match reality," Le Cour said. "The gangs are saying: when we choose to attack, we can, and we will succeed."
Escalation of Attacks
While sporadic attacks had occurred in the mountains surrounding Kenscoff since January 2025, Sunday’s assault was the largest, with at least five children among the 47 fatalities, according to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, highlighting that 22 victims were reportedly executed in a church compound where they had sought shelter.
Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon reported that gangs set fire to 25 homes and killed two government employees, including his cousin who served as his security detail. "The atrocity of this crime reminds us that we have to continue working stronger every day to bring peace to the community," Massillon said. "I’m optimistic that the state will continue working to eradicate the gangs in Kenscoff."
Researchers suggest gangs are targeting Kenscoff to control upscale areas and alternate routes connecting Port-au-Prince to the country's southern region. Prior to Sunday's attack, security operations had reduced violence in Kenscoff by 66% between January and August of this year. However, criminal groups have reportedly expanded into vulnerable rural communities while security forces concentrated efforts in central Port-au-Prince.
Survivors have accused the government of insufficient protection, a claim rejected by Haiti’s National Police. Le Cour questioned the effectiveness of security if police and armored vehicles were already stationed in Kenscoff before the attack.
Armed groups are estimated to control 70% of Port-au-Prince and significant areas in Haiti’s central region. Gang violence has displaced a record 1.5 million people, with over 3,050 reported killed from January to June. The U.N. also reported nearly 800 rapes between April and June, with 87% being collective rapes. At least 81 people were reported kidnapped during that period, though the U.N. noted that many relatives do not report kidnappings, opting to negotiate directly with captors. The number of reported kidnappings increased by more than 40% in the second quarter compared to the previous one.