The department of Artibonite, known for its vast rice plantations, is at the mercy of armed gangs. Several communes in the department have fallen into the hands of these armed groups or are suffering from the violence resulting from clashes between rival gangs. Not a day goes by without distress calls from Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite, Liancourt, Verettes, or L'Estère. These communities, among others, are paying a heavy price for the insecurity imposed by the gangs in this neglected department.

According to the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH), for the month of July, 83 cases of kidnapping were recorded across the country, with 23 in the lower Artibonite (including at least two collective abductions). The Je Klere Foundation, on its part, documented 29 summary executions in the lower Artibonite for the month of July. Additionally, there have been cases of rape and houses being looted. According to the human rights organization, more than 70% of the population of Liancourt had to abandon their homes and seek refuge in neighboring communities. All of this is happening under the eyes of the political, police, and judicial authorities of the department.