The situation continue to get worse in Haiti, two journalists shot dead by gangs

Two Haitian journalists were killed on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince on Thursday when suspected gang members started a fire on a group of journalists who had come to interview the leader of a rival gang.

A Haitian police official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the two dead journalists, were Amady John Wesley, who performed for the Montreal-based radio station Ecoute FM, and local reporter Wilguens Louissaint.

In a statement, Ecoute FM confirmed Wesley's death, calling it a "criminal and disgusting act." According to the police officer, a third journalist in the group was able to flee the attack.

Multiple gangs are battling for control of the Laboule 12 neighbourhood, where the deaths occurred.

Human Rights Watch claims that Haiti is experiencing one of its biggest crime epidemics in decades. In 2021, statistics showed an alarming increase in homicides, extortion plans, and kidnappings. Local gangs have undoubtedly played a role in this increase.

Following President Jovenel Mose's killing in July 2021, criminal groups and gangs have gained increased control on the island, claiming large tracts of land, levying illegitimate taxes, and threatening local citizens.

"The gangs have more power than our leaders," Marie Yolène Gilles, the director of the Clear Eyes Foundation, a local human rights organisation, stated.

"Haiti continues to face an escalation in criminal and political violence, resulting in food insecurity for half of the population, with 1.2 million people facing emergency deficiency levels," said Andrea Mucino-Sanchez, associate public information and communications officer at the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

"Not to mention the roughly 19,000 who are internally displaced in Port-au-Prince," she noted, "it has also resulted in waves of mixed movements from the country."