Journalist and Political Leader among the latest dead in Haiti gang-led crisis

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Haiti, November 2, 2022 – At least three people were killed between October 28 and October 30 in Haiti as the country continues to struggle even more with gang violence.

On Sunday, October 30, a Haitian journalist, Romelo Vilsaint, was killed after being shot in the head. Reports by The Associated Press are that police opened fire on reporters who were demanding the release of one of their colleagues, who were detained while covering a protest.

Vilsaint is said to have been a journalist for an online news site.  This attack happened mere days after a well-unknown Haitian journalist, Roberson Alphonse, escaped an assassination while on his way to work on Tuesday, October 25.

Meanwhile, on Friday, October 28th, a prominent leader and businessman, Eric Jean Baptiste and his bodyguard were killed in Laboule 12, Port-au-Prince.

Baptiste was reportedly on his way home around 9 PM when attackers opened fire on their vehicle.

Justice of the peace of Pétion-Ville, Clément Noël, told Haitian media company Le Nouvelliste that Baptiste’s car was riddled with over ten bullets.

“I saw 14 bullet holes. The attackers used large-calibre weapons. Some projectiles pierced level 4 (vehicle) armour.  I noticed a bullet hole in the back seat where Éric Jean Baptiste was sitting, which would have hit him in the pelvis.

“The driver’s body is unrecognizable.  His skull exploded.  He received several projectiles,” Noël described to the Le Nouvelliste.

Several Haitian officials and agencies have condemned Friday’s killings.

“We strongly condemn this heinous crime against this patriot, this moderate politician committed to change. We present, on behalf of the government and the people of Haiti, our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, to the RDNP and to the political class, today revolted by this heinous crime,” Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, said.

The embassies of the United States and France in Haiti have also expressed their views on the killing noting that they “strongly condemned the murder” of the former presidential candidate.

“The United States Embassy condemns the brutal murder of Éric Jean Baptiste of the RDNP as well as the murder of 6 people in Juvenat. We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased,” the embassy wrote on Twitter.

“The French Embassy in Haiti says it is horrified to learn and strongly condemns the assassination of Mr. Éric Jean-Baptiste, Secretary General of the RDNP. The Embassy sends its condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.  It calls on the Haitian authorities to take the necessary measures to find and punish the perpetrators of this crime,” the French embassy said.

No motive has been given for Friday’s attack.  However, reports are that it might be gang-related.