Haitians Swim Across River to Escape Gang Violence in Artibonite
In a harrowing scene emblematic of Haiti’s deepening crisis, dozens of civilians were seen swimming across the Artibonite River this week in a desperate bid to escape gang violence in the central town of Petite Rivière. This dramatic exodus highlights the growing insecurity in Haiti’s heartland as armed groups expand their territorial grip beyond the capital.
The latest assault began before sunrise on April 24, when heavily armed gangs stormed Petite Rivière, trapping residents in their homes and setting fires across neighborhoods. Bertide Horace, spokesperson for a local civil society group, said that the city has effectively been under siege for days, with limited police capacity to repel the attackers.
Social media footage revealed terrified locals wading through the country’s longest river, many balancing belongings on their heads. Others, unable to swim, paid for scarce boat rides. Among the most haunting videos was one showing the lifeless bodies of civilians, including a young boy, outside a local school—a stark reminder of the violence plaguing the region.
Horace identified the perpetrators as members of the Gran Grif gang, reportedly bolstered by the Viv Ansanm coalition. These gangs have swiftly taken over the town’s northern region, despite ongoing clashes with police near the historic Crête-à-Pierrot fort. Authorities confirmed several deaths, including that of an 11-year-old child.
Gran Grif, the dominant criminal group in the Artibonite region, is infamous for a 2024 massacre in Pont-Sondé, where over 70 people were killed. According to a UN report, the gang’s rise is tied to former legislator Prophane Victor, who allegedly armed local youth—laying the groundwork for the group’s current strength.
The situation in Petite Rivière is not isolated. In recent weeks, other gangs such as Canaan and 400 Mawozo have launched similar offensives across Artibonite. In March, they seized much of Mirebalais, storming its prison and releasing over 500 inmates. Saut d’Eau, a site of religious pilgrimage, also came under attack.
Despite early warnings from residents, including a March 20 video posted by a gang leader foreshadowing the Mirebalais assault, government forces only mobilized specialized police units ten days later. By then, 15 people, including two Catholic nuns, had already been killed. Most victims were shot in their homes or while fleeing.
Between January and March 2025, over 1,600 Haitians have been killed and 850 injured, according to the United Nations. Children account for at least 35 of the fatalities. Port-au-Prince remains the epicenter of the bloodshed, with gangs controlling around 85% of the capital.
The Haitian National Police, supported by a UN-backed Kenyan-led mission, continue to combat gang activity. However, the multinational force remains underfunded and undermanned, fielding only about 1,000 officers out of a planned 2,500.
With state institutions weakened and criminal networks expanding, the humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti shows no signs of easing. The flight across the Artibonite River is only the latest symbol of a nation struggling to survive under siege.