Viv Ansanm Gangs Kill at Least 47 in Kenscoff

The Viv Ansanm gang coalition launched a violent raid on the farming community of Kenscoff on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Attackers stormed the town center, torching homes and vehicles, and targeted a church and the residence of Dr. Jean “Bill” Pape. While initial reports from the Office of Citizen Protection cited dozens of deaths, later figures indicate at least 47 people were killed, including 22 individuals executed inside a church compound where they had sought shelter.

Mayor Jean Massillon described the event as a night of terror, though he noted that communication and access difficulties made establishing a definitive death toll challenging. The Government of Haiti condemned the attack and ordered security reinforcements to pursue the perpetrators. National Police Director Vladimir Paraison defended the security response during a visit to the area, asserting that police officers never lowered their arms.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the massacre and urged Haitian authorities to use specialized judicial units to hold the attackers accountable. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated the violence underscores the urgent need to accelerate the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force. The attack occurs as gangs control approximately 70% of Port-au-Prince and Haiti prepares for general elections on December 13. UN data shows that at least 1,408 people were killed across the country between April and June 2026, with gang violence accounting for more than half of those deaths.