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From a quiet life to the terror of armed gangs: The story of Haiti’s Kenscoff district

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 09/11/2026, 20:15:24 UTC.

Briefings

Haiti's Kenscoff district transitioned from a peaceful rural community to a target of armed gangs following two deadly massacres in July-August 2025. A lawyer, human rights activist, and RNDDH Programme Director documented the violence, revealing that the government's inaction allowed gangs to establish bases in the hills. The town suffered its first attack in January 2025, forcing residents to flee, while the second attack in July 2025 involved the use of human bodies as barricades to block police vehicles. The interim mayor relocated survivors to a school in the Robin area, but persistent rumors of a third attack by a gang led by Didier Chérisme continued to escalate the threat.

Key points

• The town of Kenscoff suffered two deadly massacres in July and August 2025, where gangs used human bodies as barricades to block police vehicles and attack civilians.
• The RNDDH collected testimonies from local authorities and 100+ survivors to document the violence, which escalated after the government failed to provide adequate security support.

Context

Kenscoff is a high-altitude municipality in Haiti's Pétion-Ville region, known for its agricultural landscape and recreational history. It is located 20 km southeast of Port-au-Prince and historically hosted events like Fort Jacques and Ranch le Montcel. The area's residents, mostly peasant farmers, moved there seeking peace and fresh air, but the region's geography made it vulnerable to gang infiltration.

Limitations

Evidence covers two massacres in July-August 2025 and one in January 2025, with details limited to specific dates and locations. The RNDDH report relies on collected testimonies and survivor accounts, which may not represent the full scope of the violence. The identity of the gang leader Didier Chérisme is mentioned as a rumor, and the specific number of casualties in the July 2025 attack is not fully quantified in the provided text.

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