Gang clashes in Haiti leave 15 dead

Port-au-Prince, Oct 20 (Prensa Latina) at least 15 Haitians died in less than a week as a result of clashes between armed gangs in Croix des Bouquets, a northeast suburb of the capital, organizations denounced.

The AfricAmerica Foundation and the Association of Artists and Artisans of Croix des Bouquets deplored the fact that another 200 people were forced to leave the area, while a dozen houses were set on fire.

The platforms defined the events as a massacre against the people and called on local authorities and international organizations to stop the killing of citizens.

The area has become increasingly unstable since the powerful 400 Mawozo gang settled there.

In April and May, the gang’s conflicts with rival armed groups caused the deaths of more than 200 people, in addition to the forced displacement of another 20,000, according to reports from human rights organizations.

In addition to the deaths, kidnappings increased substantially, and 400 Mawozo claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of missionaries from the United States and Canada, as well as a diplomat from the Dominican Republic.