Notorious Haiti Gang Leader Snatched from Police Custody, Lynched by Crowd
Faro Markenson, also known as “Commander Tirad,” a suspected leader of the Bwa Kale Gang, was lynched by an enraged crowd shortly after Dominican authorities handed him over to Haitian police at the Dajabón border.
The Dominican police arrested Markenson, described as a “dangerous gang leader responsible for numerous murders,” in Santiago. According to local reports, moments after the transfer, an angry mob intercepted him, beating him to death with sticks in a gruesome display witnessed by onlookers.
Markenson had reportedly fled Haiti, crossing into the Dominican Republic through unofficial channels, to escape law enforcement after the public security forces reclaimed Petite-Rivière-de-l’Artibonite on December 7, 2024. He even altered his appearance to evade capture. However, coordinated efforts between Haitian and Dominican authorities led to his arrest and subsequent handover.
Despite police attempts to secure him, the crowd took matters into their own hands, reflecting widespread anger over the gang’s violent activities.
Violence Escalates in Haiti Amid Gang Clashes and International Support
In a separate incident on December 26, armed gangs in Haiti attacked journalists, police, and medical personnel during a press briefing for the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s General Hospital. The attack left three dead, including a Haitian National Police officer and two journalists, while others were injured.
The hospital, shuttered since February, was reclaimed by the Haitian government in July after violent gangs had occupied and destroyed the site. The briefing turned deadly when armed men opened fire, trapping journalists for over an hour until reinforcements arrived.
In response to escalating violence, Kenya is leading an international anti-gang mission in Haiti. While Kenya has deployed nearly 400 of its pledged 600 police officers, logistical challenges, including gang-related airport closures, have hindered troop deployments.
A total of 10 nations have committed approximately 2,900 troops to the U.N.-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS), yet only 430 personnel have been deployed since the mission began in June.
Notorious Haiti Gang Leader Snatched from Police Custody, Lynched by Crowd
