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Port-au-Prince, Haiti: On November 11, 2024, Wandy Charles, the editor-in-chief of Vant Bèf Info, narrowly escaped an armed attack at his home in the Vivy Michel neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. During the attack, his brother, Mackenson Calixte Charles, was critically injured with two gunshot wounds. At the same time, Wandy and his family managed to escape unharmed, though deeply shaken by the traumatic event.
This assault is just the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting Wandy Charles and his family amid the escalating gang violence in Haiti. Notorious gangs like “VIV Ansanm,” led by figures such as Barbeque and Vitelhomme Innocent, have increasingly targeted journalists, accusing them of biased reporting and even labeling them as criminals. In a chilling broadcast last month, Jimmy Cherisier (Barbeque) openly threatened journalists, exacerbating the already dangerous conditions for media professionals in the country.
Wandy Charles, a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience, has long been committed to reporting honestly on Haiti’s issues. As violence continues to surge, especially in areas like Vivy Michel, daily life has become perilous for residents, forcing many, including Charles and his family, to flee their homes repeatedly.
The attack on Charles is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in Haiti, where the intersection of media work and gang violence is ever more apparent. This incident underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for media workers. As Haiti’s political crisis deepens, the role of journalists like Wandy Charles remains crucial, but their safety is increasingly at risk.
