Haitian Gang Frees Captive Women and Children After Brutal Attack

In a rare act of mercy following a wave of violence, a Haitian gang has released a group of women and children after a massive kidnapping and deadly assault on a community near Port-au-Prince. According to UNICEF, six children and seven women were set free by the gang, which had abducted over 50 individuals in the aftermath of the heinous attack.

The United Nations children's agency has highlighted the significance of this release, noting that it provides a "rare moment of hope" amidst the ongoing violence that plagues children in Haiti. The incident in Kenscoff, a once-peaceful farming community in the hills above the capital, serves as a stark reminder of the scale and frequency of attacks on children across the nation.

UNICEF has been working closely with community leaders to secure the release of the women and children. The agency has yet to determine if they require medical treatment or if there are additional captives still being held. Kidnappings in Haiti are not uncommon, but mass abductions such as this are relatively rare, with outcomes ranging from ransom payments to fatalities.

The attack on Kenscoff was particularly brutal, with the gang, led by a leader known as Izo 2, killing at least 47 people. Izo 2 had threatened to execute all the hostages if police killed any gang members during their efforts to retake the community. The gang operates in the area on behalf of and in coordination with other powerful gang leaders, including Izo, who is considered one of Haiti's most influential gang leaders.

The recent attack has prompted an outcry at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, where diplomats from the United States, Panama, and Colombia expressed horror at the brutal incident. The meeting called for the swift deployment of the new UN-backed gang-fighting force and action to rein in the lawless bands.

Luis Ruiz Massieu, the UN special envoy to Haiti, welcomed the decision by Haitian authorities to bring together the national police, armed forces, and the gang suppression force to assess developments and coordinate plans. The gang suppression force is set to increase its presence in Port-au-Prince, while Haitian forces will reinforce their deployment in Kenscoff.

However, the UN envoy and many council speakers emphasized the urgent need to strengthen international security support for Haiti. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jennifer Locetta vowed the United States' commitment to supporting Haitian-led security efforts to end gang terror, urging UN members to provide equipment and resources to enable the gang suppression force to deploy quickly.

Locetta also highlighted the gang coalitions' stated goal of preventing Haitian voters from electing their representatives in future elections, warning that "terrorists" cannot be allowed to take democracy hostage. She emphasized the importance of protecting civilians against these unconscionable acts, noting that the gangs cannot terrorize from the ends of rifles and from the comforts of toll stations – as they rob Haiti of its future.

Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, informed the Security Council that the Kenscoff attack forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, many for the second or third time. He described the situation as one of trauma, with people searching for missing relatives and uncertain about their future.

Ratwatte also highlighted the ongoing issue of deportations to Haiti, noting that nearly 1.5 million people, or 12% of Haiti's population, are internally displaced, half of them children. He reported that in the first eight months of 2026, almost 200,000 people were forcibly returned, a 10% increase compared with the same period last year.

The UN's humanitarian partners have recorded over 5,500 incidents of gender-based violence, or about 30 cases per day, in the first six months of the year alone. Calling the violence, especially toward women, girls, and children, "shocking," Ratwatte called for a concerted effort to address the crisis.