A hospital in Haiti was raided by a heavily armed gang, who took hostage women, children, and newborns. The director of the Fontaine Hospital Center in Port-au-Prince, Jose Ulysse, reached out for help through social media. Ulysse confirmed the incident, stating that they were in great difficulty. Although Ulysse claimed that “hundreds” of patients were taken hostage, the exact number has yet to be verified. No further information was provided regarding the motive behind the hostage situation. The National Police of Haiti did not respond to requests for comment.
The hospital, located in the Cite Soleil slum, is considered a vital refuge in a community plagued by rampant gang violence. Civilians residing in Cite Soleil frequently experience rape, beatings, and killings due to clashes between rival gangs. Ulysse identified the Brooklyn gang, led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, also known as “Ti Gabriel,” as the culprits. Jean-Pierre is the leader of G-Pep, a powerful gang alliance and one of two rival coalitions in Haiti.
The Brooklyn gang, consisting of approximately 200 members, controls certain areas within Cite Soleil, including Brooklyn. They engage in activities such as extortion, hijacking, and violence against civilians, as reported by the United Nations. A recent UN report highlighted the G-Pep coalition’s strengthened cooperation and diversified revenue streams, particularly through kidnapping for ransom, which bolstered their capabilities.
Earlier this year, when the Associated Press visited the Fontaine Hospital Center, Ulysse disclosed that he had been personally targeted by gangs on two occasions. Gangs in Haiti have grown increasingly powerful since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, resulting in a surge of kidnappings and killings.
This is not the first incident of its kind. Previously, at least 20 armed gang members raided a hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders, snatching a patient from an operating room. The criminals gained entry by fabricating a life-threatening emergency.
Contributions to this article were made by Associated Press reporter Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
