Solino Under Siege: Gangs Unleash Terror in Haitis Capital

Gang violence erupts in Solino, a community in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, leaving residents terrified and pleading for help. The once peaceful neighborhood is now engulfed in chaos, with homes torched and bodies strewn across the streets. The identity of the attackers remains unclear, but the community was once plagued by gangs before a UN peacekeeping mission intervened in the mid-2000s.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Gang members have launched a four-day attack on Solino, a key community in Haiti's capital that is home to numerous police officers. The ongoing violence has sparked fears among residents that it could spread throughout Port-au-Prince.

Solino Under Siege

The once peaceful neighborhood of Solino reverberated with the sound of automatic weapons on Thursday as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Residents, trapped in their homes by the incessant gunfire, frantically called radio stations pleading for help. One unidentified caller exclaimed, "If police don't come, we are dying today!"

Fleeing the Violence

Lita Saintil, a 52-year-old street vendor, recounted her harrowing escape from Solino with her teenage nephew after being trapped in her house for hours. She witnessed torched homes and saw at least six bodies as she fled. "It's very scary now," she said, expressing uncertainty about her future.

Gangs Gaining Control

The identity of those orchestrating and participating in the attack on Solino remains unclear. Once plagued by gangs, the community had experienced a period of relative peace after a UN peacekeeping mission drove them out in the mid-2000s. However, gangs have since regained power and are estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince. Last year alone, they were suspected of killing nearly 4,000 people and kidnapping another 3,000, overwhelming the police force in the country of nearly 12 million people.

Fear Spreads to Nearby Communities

The escalating violence in Solino has sent shockwaves through nearby communities, prompting residents to erect barricades using rocks, trucks, tires, and even banana trees to deter gang incursions. One man near a barricade in Canape Vert expressed his disillusionment with Haiti's ongoing crisis, describing it as "more misery" and lamenting the "gangsterisation" of the country.

Parents Rush to Schools

Amid concerns that the violence could spill over into other neighborhoods, parents rushed to schools across Port-au-Prince to pick up their children. One mother, who declined to be named out of fear, expressed uncertainty about their ability to return home due to the lack of public transportation and burning tires.

Awaiting Foreign Intervention

Haiti is awaiting the deployment of a foreign armed force led by Kenya, approved by the UN Security Council in October, to help quell the gang violence. However, a Kenyan judge is expected to issue a ruling on January 26 regarding an order currently blocking the deployment.

The ongoing gang violence in Solino and the fear of its spread have plunged Port-au-Prince into a state of chaos and uncertainty. As residents grapple with the escalating crisis, the country anxiously awaits international assistance to restore peace and security.