Armed men attacked the community of Kenscoff, located in the hills above Port-au-Prince, over the weekend, resulting in at least 47 deaths and more than 50 kidnappings, the UN has reported. Among those killed were at least five children and two government employees, including the mayor's cousin.
A gang leader, identifying himself as Izo 2, has threatened to kill the hostages if authorities kill any gang members while attempting to secure the area. He also warned Haiti's national police director, Vladimir Paraison, against using drones in the region.
The attack, which saw 25 homes set alight by members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, has raised concerns about security in Haiti. Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, described it as a significant political and security test for the government, police, and international mission.
The incident is also seen as a potential show of force by gangs ahead of Haiti's general elections on 13 December, the first in over a decade. Armed groups are estimated to control 70% of Port-au-Prince and other areas, with gang violence displacing a record 1.5 million people across the country.