Haitians in violent capital struggle to bury loved ones and find closure as killings rise | World News

The streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti were filled with grief and anger as a group of teenagers marched through the city, carrying a coffin on their shoulders. Tears streamed down their faces as they chanted loudly in Haitian Creole, demanding justice for their 16-year-old friend, Jhon-Roselet Joseph, who was killed by a stray bullet in the violence-ridden community of Solino.

In a country where burial rituals are sacred, the surge in killings by gangs has made it increasingly difficult for families to find closure for their loved ones. More than 2,500 people have been killed or injured in the first three months of the year, according to the United Nations.

Despite the dangers of gang violence, Joseph’s friends and family braved the streets to give him a proper burial. As they laid him to rest, the community vowed to stand up and fight against the gang coalition responsible for the violence in their neighborhood.

Solino, a working-class neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, has become a battleground for gangs, with residents living in fear of constant attacks. Community leaders have sealed off the area, determined to resist the encroaching violence.

As Joseph’s family mourned his loss, they found solace in being able to give him a proper burial, a luxury that many in Haiti are now denied due to the escalating violence. Despite the challenges they face, the community of Solino remains resilient, refusing to be overrun by gangs.

The story of Jhon-Roselet Joseph’s tragic death and the community’s unwavering determination to fight back against the violence gripping their city serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many in Haiti as they try to bury their loved ones and find closure in the midst of chaos and bloodshed.