UN Condemns Massacre of More Than 40 in Haitian Fishing Village
Gang Violence Spreads Beyond Port-au-Prince as State Control Weakens
Port-au-Prince, Haiti — September 14, 2025
The United Nations has condemned a deadly attack in northern Haiti that left more than 40 people dead, warning that escalating gang violence is pushing the country deeper into crisis.
According to local authorities and media reports, heavily armed assailants stormed the coastal fishing village of Labodrie, north of the capital Port-au-Prince, late Friday night. Residents said the attackers set homes ablaze after killing a local gang leader known as “Vladimir,” a member of the powerful gang alliance Viv Ansanm—designated a terrorist organization by the United States in May.
UN human-rights officials expressed “deep alarm” at the massacre, calling on Haitian authorities to investigate swiftly and bring perpetrators to justice. “The spread of gang violence beyond Port-au-Prince underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for civilians and immediate accountability for those responsible,” a UN spokesperson said.
Viv Ansanm and other armed groups have tightened their grip on Haiti in recent months, exploiting a vacuum left by a weakened national government and under-resourced security forces. Analysts warn the Labodrie attack illustrates how violence is spilling into previously calmer regions, threatening trade routes and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
The U.S. and regional partners have urged Haiti to strengthen policing and pursue reforms to counter gang control. International aid agencies say that without rapid intervention, further atrocities and mass displacement are likely.
Haitian officials have yet to release an official death toll or announce arrests, but witnesses report widespread destruction and fear of renewed attacks. The UN has called for coordinated international support to help restore order and protect vulnerable communities.
