PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – A former Haitian senator who worked for Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour was assassinated in an upscale neighbourhood near the country’s capital and his body set on fire along with his nephew.

According to Government Commissioner Jacques Lafontant the bodies of Yvon Buissereth and his unidentified nephew were found on Saturday afternoon in the community of Laboule.

Laboule is in close vicinity to the town of Pelerin, where President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in July last year.

Buissereth, director of Haiti’s Public Company for the Promotion of Social Housing, and his nephew were travelling in a government-issued vehicle and were found inside the charred car.

According to Lafontant, a gang that is trying to control the area is likely to blame.

The Ti Makak gang, which means “Little Macaques,” is fighting with the Toto gang over control of the space.

Gangs in the capital of Port-au-Prince and beyond have become more powerful and have waged violent turf wars since Moïse was assassinated.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry condemned Buissereth’s killing as a “barbaric act” by armed gangs in Laboule.

“His assassins, as well as all the other criminals who sow mourning in the country, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and must respond for their ignominious acts before justice,” the Prime Minister said.