According to the reports on Wednesday (25 December), on Tuesday (24 December), two journalists, Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean, were killed, and several others injured during a gang attack in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as the city’s largest public hospital attempted to reopen. The hospital, closed earlier this year due to gang violence, became the site of a deadly Christmas Eve assault when suspected members of the Viv Ansanm gang opened fire on journalists covering the event. Videos from the scene showed lifeless bodies and wounded reporters inside the hospital.
Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, condemned the attack, expressing sympathies to the victims and vowing justice. The Viv Ansanm gang, led by Johnson “Izo” André, claimed responsibility for the violence, stating they had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Authorities have not provided a detailed casualty count, but reports indicate journalists and police officers were among those injured.
The incident highlights the growing stranglehold of gangs over Port-au-Prince, where they control 85% of the city, disrupting essential services and targeting key institutions. The hospital, previously ravaged by gang-related violence, had its reopening delayed as authorities struggled to maintain order. Gang attacks have left Haiti’s health system in a precarious state, with looted and destroyed medical facilities, creating a severe resource shortage.
The health care crisis has been further exacerbated by the rainy season, increasing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, which has seen over 84,000 suspected cases reported. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements continue to fuel the health emergency. Despite the threats, the reopening of the hospital was meant to symbolize progress in reclaiming control, though the violent attack underscores the significant challenges Haiti faces in restoring stability.
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