Armed gangs opened fire on journalists during a press conference meant to announce the reopening of Haiti’s General Hospital on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, resulting in at least two fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident, which transpired around 11 AM in Port-au-Prince, shocked the nation already grappling with widespread violence and turmoil.
Among the casualties were journalist Mackendy Nathoux and police officer Jimmy Jean, who were both declared dead at the scene. Reports indicate at least seven journalists and two additional police officers sustained injuries during the attack. This marked yet another somber chapter in Haiti's increasingly perilous environment, where gang violence has escalated to alarming levels.
The journalists were gathered at the State University of Haiti Hospital, known locally as the General Hospital, for the press conference to hear from new Health Minister Duckenson Lorthe Blema. Just before the shooting erupted, attendees had been anticipating the minister's arrival, after being invited to arrive at the venue from early morning.
Eyewitness reports and chilling videos circulating on social media depict scenes of chaos as the gunfire erupted outside. Inside the hospital, desperate journalists sought cover, with at least three reported to be lying on the floor suffering from gunshot wounds. One journalist lamented the lack of medical assistance, stating, “We haven’t found a nurse or anyone to give us first aid, anything.” Another added, “Bandits are shooting all around. If the journalists go out to the street, they will be killed and no one is helping them.”
The violence was claimed by gang leader Johnson “Izo” André, associated with the gang coalition Viv Ansanm, who posted on social media asserting the hospital's reopening had not received their authorization. This incident highlights the growing contention between gangs and the Haitian government, with many viewing the attack as symptomatic of the broader lawlessness gripping the nation.
Government officials have publicly condemned the act, with Haiti’s transitional presidential council expressing condolences to the victims' families through social media. They stated, "We express our sympathy to all the victims' families, particularly to the Haitian National Police and all the journalists’ associations.”
The General Hospital had witnessed closure since March 2024 due to rampant gang violence, which has effectively besieged much of the Haitian capital. The recent uptick of gunfights between rival gangs and police has paralyzed not only medical institutions but also panic-stricken residents within Port-au-Prince. The hospital’s reopening was seen as a hopeful sign amid the pervasive chaos and instability.
Guy Delva, head of the press freedom group SOS Journalists, voiced grave concerns about the inherent dangers facing journalists, stating, “The whole area is under siege.” Delva also alleged systemic violence against media members, asserting, “Journalists have been working with fear. They realize the government doesn’t care.” This ominous assertion reflects the growing trepidation among reporters operating within one of the world’s most dangerous environments for news coverage today.
The state of Haiti’s health system adds yet another layer of urgency to the crisis. With just 24% of health facilities operational following gang-related disruptions, the country faces dire shortages of medical resources. Ongoing violence exacerbates cholera risks and other public health threats, as the rainy season complicates conditions for countless citizens already living under precarious circumstances.
Adding to the turmoil, Haiti's authorities reported the tragic consequences of torrential rains ravaging the northwestern area, where flash floods resulted in at least seven deaths and significant infrastructural damage. Nearly 11,000 households suffered flooding, alongside the destruction of more than 100 homes.
The United Nations has begun voicing concerns over Haiti’s deteriorative situation, advocating for relief and interventions to address the human rights violations and violence plaguing the country. A recent statement by U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stressed the importance of international attention and support to restore stability.
These events collectively underline the impending humanitarian crisis and urgent need for international intervention to address notionally stable governance and secure the safety of Haitian citizens and journalists alike. The actions taken moving forward will be pivotal for the recovery of Haiti’s health infrastructure and the protection of democratic freedoms.
