Port-au-Prince, February 2, 2026.- While Delmas 83 and Pétion-Ville launched, Sunday, February 1, 2026, pre-carnival activities in a popular atmosphere worn by Roody Roodboy, Kenscoff was again hit by a murderous attack by armed gangs. In parallel, the Haitian National Police (HNP) intensified its operations in several strategic areas of the metropolitan area.
Hundreds of carnivalers invested on Sunday afternoon the Delmas 83-Pétion-Ville axis to celebrate the popular kick-off of the National Carnival 2026. The procession, carried by the artist Roody Roodboy, revived the festive atmosphere through meringues that became emblematic, in a globally joyful and participatory atmosphere.
But just a few kilometres away, the security reality suddenly reminded its flaws. On the night of 29-30 January, armed individuals of the criminal coalition « Viv Ansanm » attacked the locality of Kajak in Kenscoff, killing about 10 people, including a three-month-old infant, according to local authorities.
Faced with the upsurge in violence, the PNH claims to strengthen its presence. Operations in Tabarre, Carrefour Marassa and Croix-des-bouquets resulted in the neutralization of several armed individuals and the seizure of weapons of war, with the aim of securing the main roads of traffic and containing the expansion of gangs.
Between carnival effervescence and security emergency, this pre-carnival Sunday illustrates the striking contrast of a country divided between thirst for normality and the persistence of armed violence.
W.A.
