The Story Inside Haiti: face to face with the gangs ruling a desperate nation - the Sunday Story
Aug 31, 2025
Louise Callaghan, a seasoned US correspondent for the Sunday Times, shares her eye-opening experiences from Haiti, a nation gripped by ruthless gang violence. She unveils the harrowing stories of victims caught in the crossfire, including a young girl named Beatrice, and the dire humanitarian crisis facing millions. Callaghan confronts a notorious warlord, exposing the brutal realities of daily life under gang control, and discusses the complex relationship between police and gangs. This gripping account highlights the urgent struggles and fears of those living in a desperate situation.
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Girl Kidnapped On Way To School
- Beatrice, a 15-year-old who loved maths, was kidnapped on her way to school after the bus broke down.
- Masked men took her and two others and her mother later searched frantically before discovering what had happened.
Gangs As De Facto Local Authorities
- Port-au-Prince functions without accountability and gangs effectively act as the only law in most neighborhoods.
- Police control about 10% of the capital while gang leaders act as local authorities for missing persons and disputes.
Mother Finds Son's Mutilated Body
- Ruth Guillon found her son Rishi's body after he was robbed and shot; most of his remains had been eaten by stray dogs.
- She guarded his remains from scavengers and later buried him where he died because the ambulance said there was too little to take to the mortuary.