At least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped after armed men attacked a once-peaceful community near Haiti’s capital earlier this week, the United Nations said Tuesday.
It is believed to be one of the largest mass kidnappings in Haiti in recent years, and one gang leader is threatening to kill the hostages if authorities kill any gang members as they try to secure the community nestled in the hills above Port-au-Prince.
Sunday’s attack on Kenscoff pierced the belief that security in the troubled Caribbean country was improving. In a video posted on social media, the gang leader showed some of the hostages while threatening Vladimir Paraison, director of Haiti’s National Police, warning that he should refrain from using drones to repel gangs in the area.
“Paraison, if any of our soldiers are hurt, I will kill all of them,” he said, referring to the hostages. The gang member only identified himself as Izo 2, a reference to Izo, or Johnson André, one of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders. 17-year-old Kenscoff resident Kenson Paul said gangs kidnapped his father, mother, and 6 other family members.
His 16-year-old sister was also kidnapped and raped but managed to escape. The high school student and farmer escaped through a back window. “I hope the state can help everyone come back home. We are just farmers. We are not involved in anything,” Said Paul.
