PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – The European Union (EU)has condemned last weeks horrific massacre in Pont Sondé, to the north of here that was carried out by the “Gran Grif” gang.
In a statement on Sunday, the EU said the massacre marks “ yet another escalation in the extreme violence these criminal groups are inflicting on the Haitian people.”
“This latest atrocity underscores the urgent need for the full deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) to assist the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence and restore the rule of law.”
The EU said it will continue to play its part, alongside regional partners, to help Haiti confront its severe humanitarian crisis and advance on a sustainable path towards security and stabilization.
“The EU will continue to make use of all tools, including targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for such senseless violence, with the objective to help restore peace, security, stability, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. It remains crucial to develop long-term solutions that integrate the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus to support the Haitian people.”
Last Thursday, gang members with automatic rifles stormed through a town in Haiti’s main breadbasket region, killing at least 70 and forcing over 6,000 to flee, causing widespread shock even in a country grown accustomed to outbreaks of violence.
Gran Grif gang leader Luckson Elan took responsibility for the massacre, saying it was in retaliation for civilians remaining passive while police and vigilante groups killed his soldiers.
The killings are the latest sign of a worsening conflict in Haiti, where armed gangs control most of the capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.