Haitian Gang Leader Accused of Massacre Over Witchcraft Allegations

More than 180 people, mostly elderly, were killed in Port-au-Prince after a gang leader sought revenge for his son’s death, highlighting Haiti’s escalating violence.

Micanor Altes, a gang leader in Port-au-Prince, allegedly ordered the massacre of over 180 people, accusing them of practicing witchcraft that caused his son’s death.
The killings occurred in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood, leaving the area desolate and under the control of Altes' gang, with residents unable to leave.
Haitian officials and human rights groups have condemned the violence, with the government pledging to bring those responsible to justice, though the exact death toll remains uncertain.
The massacre reflects a broader crisis in Haiti, where gang violence, government inaction, and police corruption have left communities vulnerable and forced some residents to form self-defense movements like Bwa Kale.
Voodoo, a central part of Haitian culture, has been misused in violent contexts, with practitioners often targeted and accused of witchcraft, further complicating the nation’s social and spiritual fabric.