At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped when armed men attacked Kenscoff, a once-peaceful community in the hills above Port-au-Prince, according to the United Nations. The Sunday assault stands as one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years, shattering local beliefs that security in the Caribbean nation was improving ahead of general elections scheduled for Dec. 13.
The Security Crisis in Kenscoff
Sunday’s raid on Kenscoff marks a severe escalation in regional violence, following an initial major attack recorded in January 2025. According to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), at least five children were among the 47 dead. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres stated that 22 of the victims were reportedly executed inside a church compound where they had sought shelter, underscoring the worsening conditions.
Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon reported that gangs also set fire to 25 homes and killed two government employees, including his cousin who served as his security detail. Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project, researcher María Fernanda Arocha noted that criminal groups covet Kenscoff to surround the upscale community of Pétion-Ville and control vital southern transit routes.
Did you know? Armed groups currently control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince and large swaths of Haiti’s central region, having displaced a record 1.5 million people nationwide, according to U.N. statistics.
Hostage Threats and Gang Tactics
In the wake of the raid, a gang leader identifying as Izo 2—a reference to Izo, or Johnson André, one of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders—posted a social media video threatening Vladimir Paraison, director of Haiti’s National Police. According to the recording, the gang leader vowed to execute all hostages if authorities harm any gang members during security operations.
Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, described the threat as a calculated trap for state forces. “If forces don’t act, they’ve failed to protect them; if they do and hostages die, the gangs will blame the state,” Le Cour said. He added that the assault aims to strain limited police and U.N.-backed suppression forces by forcing them to disperse personnel away from central Port-au-Prince.
Survivor Accounts and Government Response
Local residents expressed despair following the coordinated assault. Marc Paul, a 42-year-old Kenscoff resident, stated that gangs kidnapped his brother, stepmother, stepfather, and two cousins. His 16-year-old niece was also abducted and raped before managing to escape. “I had to run over bodies,” Paul said, noting that his family had already lost their home to a previous gang attack earlier in the year.
Haiti’s National Police rejected accusations from survivors that authorities failed to provide adequate protection. Meanwhile, Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon expressed optimism that state forces will work to eradicate the armed groups.
Pro Tip for Readers Tracking the Region
When analyzing security developments in Haiti, monitor updates from verified international bodies such as BINUH alongside local municipal reports to distinguish between confirmed casualties and unverified social media claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the attack on Kenscoff happen?
Sunday’s attack occurred earlier in the week, with the United Nations releasing casualty figures on Tuesday.
How many people were killed and kidnapped?
According to the United Nations, at least 47 people were killed—including five children and 22 victims in a church compound—and more than 50 others were kidnapped.
Who is leading the armed group in Kenscoff?
According to Romain Le Cour of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, the armed group is led by an individual known as Izo 2 or “Didi” on behalf of and in coordination with Izo and other gang leaders.
What is the broader impact on displacement in Haiti?
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