Mirabalais Under Siege

Two nuns were among five people killed when a powerful gang coalition launched a violent attack on the Haitian town of Mirabalais. The assault, led by the Vivre Ensemble gang alliance, is believed to be in retaliation for the Transitional Council’s attempts to reclaim control of the area.

The nuns of the “Little Sisters of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus” were murdered in Mirebalais, in central Haiti, by members of armed gangs who infiltrated the area since last Monday. The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Max Leroy Mésidor, confirmed this to local media, adding: “This is a huge loss for the community.”

Sister Evanette Onezaire and Sister Jeanne Voltaire were killed on Monday when the city of Mirebalais was attacked by the “Viv Ansanm” coalition of criminal gangs. Attacks also targeted shops, police stations, and a prison, from which more than 500 inmates reportedly escaped.

According to local media reports, the two nuns were working at the school in Mirebalais and had taken refuge in a house with a girl during the attacks. However, members of the armed gangs entered the building, opened fire, and killed the two nuns and all the other people present.

Gang Violence Escalates

The assault on Mirabalais, located around 60 kilometres from the capital, Port-au-Prince, marks a further escalation in gang-related violence. Security forces attempted to repel the attack, but reports suggest that gang members continue to control large parts of the town.

Mirebalais, home to Haiti’s most advanced medical facility, the University Hospital, and a crucial transit point between the capital and the northern regions, has become a key battleground in the ongoing conflict. Gang members reportedly stormed the town’s prison, freeing at least 500 inmates in the process.

A Nation in Crisis

Transitional Council President Fritz Alphonse Jean declared, “We are at war,” in a statement highlighting the severity of the situation. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents as criminal groups challenge the government’s authority.

The ongoing violence has forced thousands to flee their homes. Reports indicate that at least 30 gang members were killed in clashes with the National Police. The chaos echoes previous high-profile attacks on religious figures, including the 2022 assassination of Sister Luisa Dell’Orto and the January 2024 abduction of six nuns, who were later released.

International Concern Grows

The United Nations has urged Haitian authorities to take decisive action to restore order. UN human rights official William O’Neill warned that Port-au-Prince remains virtually inaccessible, with gang-controlled areas experiencing widespread violence, including murder, sexual assault, and arson.

Meanwhile, protests have erupted in the capital, with thousands demanding the resignation of the government coalition led by Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Demonstrators accuse the leadership of failing to protect civilians, and violent clashes have broken out between protesters and security forces. Government buildings, including the Prime Minister’s office and the Transitional Council headquarters, have been targeted.

According to UN data, over 4,200 people have been killed in Haiti between July 2024 and February 2025, with another 6,000 displaced. As the situation deteriorates, calls for urgent international intervention continue to mount.

  Catholic Church, Haiti