Thousands of Haitians take to streets to protest surging gang violence

3/4/2025 17:04

Thousands of Haitians took to the streets in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday to express their anger against armed gangs that control nearly all of the capital and surrounding areas and the government's failure to hold them off.



Violent armed groups have united behind a coalition known as Viv Ansanm and forced over 1 million people from their homes, which has contributed to a freezing of the economy and fueled mass hunger. They are also accused of extortion, mass rapes and killings.



The transitional government, a rotating body of presidential council members appointed nearly a year ago, alongside a long undermanned and underfunded U.N.-backed security mission, have done little to hold off the gangs' advances.



"Do you see what is happening?" protestor Joseph Mackendy told Reuters at the demonstration. "Today, Haitian people will fight to be free already. We are free. Those men today cannot frighten me."



Residents filled the streets of Port-au-Prince carrying banners and palm fronds, while some carried machetes and firearms. The protest began peacefully but gunfire erupted later in the day, causing a panic that caused crowds to flee.