Haitians fleeing gang violence swim across the country's longest river
- In April 2025, many individuals crossed Haiti’s longest river by swimming and walking through the water as they tried to escape a new gang assault on a city in the central Artibonite area.
- The Gran Grif gang, reinforced by the Viv Ansanm coalition, initiated the assault after seizing parts of Petite Rivière starting on April 24, amid ongoing regional violence.
- The city endured a nearly week-long siege with residents trapped in their homes and widespread fires set by attackers, while police fought and controlled significant areas.
- Earlier attacks attributed to the same gangs in Pont-Sondé resulted in one of Haiti’s deadliest massacres, with casualties exceeding seventy. Meanwhile, a U.N. Report documented over 1,600 fatalities and 850 injuries across the country since January 2025.
- The violence indicates persistent instability as National Police, supported by an underfunded Kenyan-led U.N. Mission of about 1,000 personnel, continue battling gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince and Artibonite.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Haitians cross the longest river in the country to flee gangs
Dozens of people swam through or wade the longest river in Haiti on Wednesday, in a desperate attempt to flee the gangs, who launched a new attack on a city in the central region of the country that has been under siege for almost a week.

Haitians fleeing gang violence swim across the country's longest river
Dozens of people swam and waded across Haiti’s longest river in a desperate attempt to flee gangs. A city in the country’s central region has been under siege for almost a week.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage