Haiti's Bishop Dumas injured in an explosion

By L'Osservatore Romano

Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne and vice-president of the Haitian Bishops Conference, was struck "by an explosion" on Sunday in the house where he was staying during his visit to the nation's capital of Port-au-Prince, reported the country's episcopal conference.

'Stable' 

According to a note from the Bishops, signed by the Conference's Deputy Permanent Secretary, Father Jean Rodney Brévil, "the health of Bishop Dumas is stable."

The news comes at a time when the security situation in the western part of the country shows no signs of improvement.

In recent events, an armed group attacked a minibus transporting passengers between Port-au-Prince and Mirebalais, with at least 10 casualties.

According to an initial reconstruction, some members of the criminal gang "400 Mawozo" are believed to have been involved.

Grip of violence

Haiti has long been in the grip of violence by various gangs vying for control of the territory.

The UN reported that January 2024 was the bloodiest month in over two years, with at least 1,108 people killed, injured, or kidnapped.

In recent days, major Haitian cities have experienced further unrest during opposition-led protests demanding the resignation of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Recent developments

According to local reports, the Haitian justice system has indicted around fifty people, including former first lady Martine Moïse, former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, and former head of the Haitian National Police Léon Charles, for their alleged involvement in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The politician was killed on July 7, 2021, in his residence in Port-au-Prince by a group of Colombian mercenaries.