A shocking tale of vengeance has emerged from Haiti, a nation plagued by lawlessness and rampant gang violence that has overtaken much of its capital, Port-au-Prince, according to reports from local media.
Online news outlets, some operating from the neighboring Dominican Republic, detailed the story of a local street vendor who embarked on a private and lethal mission to exact revenge on the criminal organizations dominating Haiti's streets.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed to protect her life, earns a living selling pate, a local version of empanadas – fried dough pockets filled with various ingredients. Reports indicate that her close relatives were brutally murdered by gang members who had seized control of her neighborhood, located south of Port-au-Prince.
The perpetrators were part of one of the armed factions under the G9 alliance, a coalition of gangs led by Jimmy Cherizier, infamously known as "Jimmy Barbecue." Cherizier, a former police commander, has orchestrated widespread destruction and instilled fear across Haiti for nearly a decade. Experts estimate that his forces control approximately 90% of the capital's territory.
According to the reports, the vendor prepared a large batch of filled pastries but laced them with a potent toxic substance. She then delivered the deadly treats to a compound used as a headquarters by the gang in her neighborhood, thanking the criminals for "keeping the community safe." Unsuspecting, the gang members eagerly consumed the poisoned empanadas. Within minutes, they began vomiting and suffering severe distress, with most succumbing before reaching a hospital. The woman vanished from the scene shortly after.
It has since been reported that gang members discovered the poisoner's identity and retaliated by burning down her home. However, the woman turned herself in to the police and is currently under their protection. She confessed to the act, stating that her motive was retribution for the murder of her relatives. It remains unclear whether she will face charges.
