Residents of Canape Vert in Port-au-Prince protested for protection against gangs after repeated, unanswered appeals to the police. Armed with machetes, they blocked roads, blaming the government for failing to control gang violence. The threatening gang, part of the Viv Ansanm coalition, has already taken over much of the capital, carrying out attacks on government infrastructure and freeing thousands of prisoners.

Residents in a neighborhood of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, protested on Tuesday to demand protection against gangs.

Armed with machetes and stones, the protesters attempted to reach the Prime Minister's office, but their efforts were thwarted by police who used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Residents of Canape Vert reported that for several days, they had been hearing threats of a potential gang invasion in their neighborhood. Despite making numerous appeals for police protection, no action was taken. Frustrated by the lack of response, they decided to take matters into their own hands.

On Wednesday, armed with knives and machetes, the residents blocked roads leading to Canape Vert using trees and burning tires, creating barriers to prevent any possible gang incursion.

A protester draped in the Haitian flag expressed anger toward the government's failure to control the growing influence of gangs. “This is our flag! They (gangs) will not drive us out,” shouted the protester, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Another unnamed protester voiced the frustration felt by many in the community, stating, "We have nowhere to go. We say no — that is enough!"

Despite repeated attempts by residents to seek police intervention through phone calls to a local radio station, it remains unclear why law enforcement did not respond.

The gang threatening Canape Vert is part of the Viv Ansanm coalition, a group that has already seized control of numerous areas within the capital. The coalition has also been linked to a series of coordinated attacks that began in late February 2024, targeting essential government infrastructure. These attacks included assaults on police stations, gunfire at the main international airport—forcing its closure for nearly three months—and raids on Haiti's two largest prisons, leading to the escape of over 4,000 inmates.

Currently, gangs control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince and continue to expand their reach by targeting previously peaceful communities, attempting to dominate even more territories.