The Hotel Oloffson, a historic gem in Port-au-Prince that once hosted celebrities and symbolized Haiti’s cultural charm, was burned to the ground in early July. Locals believe armed gangs targeted it as payback after a nearby police operation. Its destruction isn’t just about losing a building—it’s a gut-wrenching metaphor for how gang violence is erasing Haiti’s identity and stability.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another property lost to chaos. The Oloffson was a living piece of Haiti’s history—a place where art, politics, and global visitors collided for over a century. Seeing it reduced to ashes hits Haitians hard because it mirrors what’s happening to their country: collapse, one landmark at a time. When even a sanctuary isn’t safe, what’s left?