Neighborhoods in the metropolitan area have been plunged into bloodshed since the beginning of the week. In real time, through social media, the rest of the country follows the massive displacement of people from several districts in the communes of Delmas and Port-au-Prince, fleeing under a hail of heavy-caliber bullets fired by gangs. The number of dead and wounded, as well as the extent of material damage caused by the latest gang attacks in Delmas, Tabarre, and the hills of Pétion-Ville, remains unknown. However, as usual, the toll is expected to be heavy. The images capturing the devastation of this unfolding, premeditated humanitarian catastrophe in Port-au-Prince in recent days give a glimpse of the scale of the destruction.

The most distressing aspect of this war—in the true sense of the word—against the Haitian population is the attitude of those responsible for governing the country. In recent hours, no emergency meetings have been convened, and no measures proportionate to the crisis have been announced. Nor has there been any resignation within the security chain of command. From the presidency to the leadership of the Conseil Supérieur de la Police Nationale (CSPN) and the Haitian National Police (PNH), everyone remains in place. On the contrary, reports indicate an open conflict between Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aimé’s camp and that of Rameau Normil, a situation that plays into the hands of those sowing chaos while further endangering the population.