Anna Hartz
Haitian Vendor Admits to Poisoning Gang Members with Empanadas
In Haiti, life for many people has become a daily struggle to survive. The country has been overrun by powerful gangs.
These groups terrorize neighborhoods, destroy homes, and leave entire families shattered.
With police and government systems often unable to protect the public, some people have started taking matters into their own hands.
That’s what happened in the town of Kenscoff, just outside Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.
A local woman who made a living selling empanadas—fried dumplings filled with meat—decided to take revenge after gang violence killed members of her family, reports WP.
They Often Operated in the Area
According to reports, the woman prepared a batch of her usual dumplings. But this time, she added a deadly ingredient: poison.
She then delivered the food to members of the Viv Ansanm gang. They had been operating in the area and, until then, were seen by some locals as protectors of the district.
The dumplings were accepted as a gesture of thanks. But shortly after eating, the gang members began to fall ill.
Many suffered from vomiting and severe stomach pain. One by one, they died.
In total, 40 people from the gang lost their lives after eating the poisoned snack.
Turned Herself in
The woman left the town soon after. Her home was burned down, possibly as an act of retaliation or warning.
She later turned herself in to the police. She admitted to poisoning the dumplings and said she did it to avenge her family.
Haiti continues to face one of the worst security crises in its history. Gangs control much of the capital.
Thousands of people have been displaced, and the death toll keeps rising. While some see the woman’s actions as desperate justice, others fear it will only fuel more violence.
So far, no official response has been given by authorities about what consequences she may face.