According to a local official in Haiti, sixteen members of the same family were discovered dead in a remote mountain town in the southern part of the country. The bodies were found in the town of Seguin, approximately 30 miles south of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The deaths were reported one day after the family attended a funeral, as noted by local news outlets.
It remains unclear what caused the deaths, but some local witnesses have suggested that it might be a case of poisoning. In response to this tragedy, the police and health services were deployed to the area for further investigation. Delegate Jude Pierre Michel Lafontant, the top official in Haiti’s South East department, confirmed the deployment of resources.
Despite the absence of evidence connecting the deaths to gang-related activities, it is worth noting that criminal groups in Haiti have been gaining power. This is partly due to the extortion of money from businesses, residents, and families of kidnapping victims. A report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime earlier this month highlighted the increasing influence of these Haitian criminal groups.
According to a report from the United Nations, gang activity in Haiti claimed nearly 5,000 lives last year. This is a concerning trend, particularly as the nation’s police force is struggling to quell the violence. It is a challenging situation as the out-gunned police face formidable obstacles in their efforts to maintain peace and order in the country.
It is important for authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the sixteen family members. The situation in Haiti warrants a comprehensive approach to address the issue of violence and criminal activity that threatens the safety and well-being of the population. The tragic incident in Seguin serves as a reminder of the urgent need for concerted efforts to ensure the security and stability of the country.
(Reporting by Harold Isaac; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Sandra Maler)
