Under Gang Leader's Orders... Over 100 Haitian Vodou Followers Massacred

"Trying to Harm Son with Sorcery," Priest's Words Lead to Murder
Residents Massacred Over Two Days and Bodies Burned

In the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, which has become a lawless land due to gang activities, an incident occurred where over 100 local residents were collectively killed under the leadership of a gang leader.

On the 8th (local time), foreign media including the New York Times (NYT) cited a statement from the Haitian human rights organization 'R?seau National de D?fense des Droits Humains (RNDDH)' reporting that a mass massacre occurred at the J?r?mie Wharf in Cit? Soleil, a large slum in the capital Port-au-Prince, between the 6th and 7th, resulting in at least 110 deaths.

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RNDDH revealed that this massacre was carried out under the orders of gang leader Monel Felix, who operates at J?r?mie Wharf. Felix, whose son is ill, was told by a Vodou priest that "the elderly people around J?r?mie Wharf are harming his son through 'sorcery'." Believing this, he committed the mass killing following the priest's advice. Among those killed, at least 60 died on the 6th and at least 50 on the 7th, with the majority of victims being over 60 years old. The mass killing was reportedly carried out using bladed weapons. Among the younger victims were motorcycle taxi drivers who were shot while trying to save others.

Pierre Esperance, Secretary-General of RNDDH, stated, "According to testimonies, mutilated bodies were burned on the streets," adding, "The actual death toll is likely much higher." RNDDH explained that Felix is also believed to have been involved in a 2012 incident where 12 elderly women who practiced Vodou were killed.

Vodou, one of Haiti's indigenous religions originating from West Africa, believes that all living beings, including plants and animals, possess souls. Although 80% of Haiti's population are Roman Catholics, most Haitians follow Vodou rituals. Vodou also involves ancestor worship and spirit worship, using sacred magic called 'white magic' and malevolent magic called 'black magic.'

Haiti, a representative poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has seen gang looting and violence continue since the assassination of President Jovenel Mo?se in 2021, which paralyzed government administrative power. The United Nations reported that more than 4,500 people have died due to gang-related violence in Haiti this year alone, and 700,000 have been displaced.

On February 5th (local time), protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry held intense anti-government demonstrations in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, in July, about 40 Haitian migrants died in a fire while traveling by boat. The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that on July 17, a fire broke out on a boat sailing near Cap-Ha?tien, a northern port city of Haiti, killing at least 40 of the approximately 80 migrants on board. The remaining 41 passengers were rescued by the Haitian Coast Guard and received support from IOM.

Regarding this incident, the Miami Herald, a daily newspaper in the southeastern United States near Haiti, reported that the fire appeared to have occurred during a Vodou ritual on the boat. The media explained, "Some migrants perform religious ceremonies to pray for a safe journey without being detected by authorities," adding, "During this process, candles and other items caught fire from fuel stored in drums, causing an explosion and the fire."

IOM stated, "Because it is difficult for Haitians to migrate legally, many see irregular migration, risking their lives, as the only option," and added, "The number of migrants caught and forcibly deported back to Haiti from neighboring countries has reached 86,000 from the beginning of this year through July."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.