France condemns gang violence in Haiti that killed over 180

ISTANBUL

France condemned the gang attacks in Haiti, its former colony in the Caribbean, which claimed the lives of 187 people in recent violent incidents.

"France condemns in the strongest possible terms the massacre that killed more than 184 people, most of them elderly, in Port-au-Prince's Wharf Jeremie neighborhood on December 6 and 7," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Gang attacks in Wharf Jeremie, located in the City Soleil district of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, resulted in the deaths of many people, mostly elderly, over the weekend.

Expressing condolences to the victims' families, the statement conveyed a message of solidarity with the Haitian authorities and people.

The statement also welcomed the efforts of Haitian authorities to bring the perpetrators of "these barbaric crimes" to justice.

It underlined France’s continued support for Haiti’s national police, armed forces, and the multinational security missions operating in the country to restore security against the gangs.

In the Caribbean nation of Haiti, a former French colony, gang attacks involving machetes and firearms over the weekend resulted in 187 deaths.

The Haitian Prime Minister's Office blamed gang leader "Micanor" for the massacre and announced that the government would work with full force to eliminate these gangs.

Over 5,000 killed in gang attacks in Haiti this year

Struggling for years with fundamental issues such as political, economic, and security crises, Haiti, with a population exceeding 11 million, faces the threat of famine.

In the country, where armed gangs control 80% of the capital, incidents of violence continue to rise daily.

According to the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, more than 5,000 people have been killed in armed gang attacks since the beginning of the year.

These violent incidents led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April 2024, the establishment of a Transitional Council, and the appointment of Garry Conille as Prime Minister on May 28.

On Nov. 11, the Council dismissed Conille and appointed businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime as the new Prime Minister.