A man runs for cover as he crosses a barricaded street in the gang-controlled Bel Air neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sept. 25, 2021.
Dozens of people have been killed in Port-au-Prince after violent internal clashes erupted within the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition, raising fears of further instability in Haiti’s capital. A local human rights group confirmed that 49 victims, including 10 children, have died since the violence began this week.
A High-Ranking Gang Member Killed
One of the most prominent casualties was Dèdè, a senior figure in the Bel-Air slum. He was beheaded during the clashes, according to the Committee for Peace and Development.
Another influential gang leader, Kempès Sanon—a former police officer and key figure in Viv Ansanm—was also injured. His condition remains unclear. The uncertainty surrounding his injuries has intensified concerns that Port-au-Prince, already 90% controlled by gangs, could see a surge in violence.
Sanon has been temporarily replaced by two men known locally as Jamesly and Ti Gason, the rights group reported.
Breakdown Inside the Viv Ansanm Coalition
The clashes mark a dramatic shift inside the Viv Ansanm (“Live Together”) coalition, formed in 2023 after numerous gangs agreed to stop fighting each other. The coalition initially brought a decline in inter-gang violence.
Sanon’s group is part of Viv Ansanm, which the U.S. designates as a foreign terrorist organization. The coalition’s breakdown has now triggered brutal confrontations across Bel-Air.
Officials say victims include 19 gang members, 10 children recruited by gangs, and a 60-year-old man killed by a stray bullet.
Women Targeted While Seeking Medical Help
The violence has spilled beyond typical gang rivalries. Nineteen women were killed by the Krache Dife (“Spit Fire”) gang while seeking medical assistance for wounded partners. Krache Dife is believed to be a Viv Ansanm ally and typically aligned with Sanon’s group.
Human rights groups warn that the death toll may increase as fighting continues and aid workers remain unable to enter the area.
Barbecue Responds With a Warning
In the midst of the clashes, gang leader Jimmy Chérizier—better known as Barbecue—released a video claiming he had freed kidnap victims in Bel-Air. He stated that Viv Ansanm demanded an end to kidnappings, accusing some members of defying orders.
“They won’t be kidnapping ever again. This is a message for all the generals,” he said.
Chérizier provided no details and did not identify which gang members had violated the coalition’s rules.
UN Report Highlights Sanon’s Influence
A recent United Nations report emphasized Sanon’s central role in strengthening gang dominance in Port-au-Prince. The report stated that he helped coordinate attacks to expand territories under Viv Ansanm control.
The U.N. also noted that Sanon maintains a network inside government agencies and security institutions—connections that help him evade arrest and continue illegal activities.
Civilians Trapped as Violence Escalates
The renewed fighting has forced hundreds of civilians to shelter in place. Many are unable to access food, water, or basic supplies, worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
More than half of Haiti’s 12 million people are currently experiencing crisis-level hunger, according to aid agencies. The clashes threaten to push these numbers even higher.
Political Stakes Rise Ahead of Elections
The violence risks further destabilizing Haiti as the country approaches general elections next year. The transitional government is scheduled to step down in early February, placing the nation in an increasingly fragile position.
With gang power rising and coalition unity collapsing, the future of Haiti’s security and political stability remains uncertain. The deadly clashes within Viv Ansanm underline the deepening crisis and the growing danger for civilians caught in the crossfire.
