More than 50 kidnapped as violent gang attack in Haiti leaves at least 47 dead

A video posted on social media by a gang leader has drawn the attention of law‑enforcement officials after he threatened to kill hostages if any of his members were harmed. In the clip, the individual, who has been identified by police as the leader of the “Red‑Line” gang, warns that the hostages taken in a recent standoff would face lethal retaliation if the gang’s members were injured or killed by authorities or rival groups. The video, which was shared on a popular short‑form platform, shows the leader speaking directly to the camera, describing the hostages as “the price” for any violence against his crew.

Authorities say the threat came days after a raid on a warehouse in the outskirts of the city, where several gang members were apprehended and a number of hostages were released unharmed. Police confirmed that the gang’s leader had been identified through surveillance footage and that the video was part of an ongoing investigation into the group’s violent activities. The incident has prompted a renewed focus on hostage‑situation protocols and has led to a statement from the city’s mayor urging calm and cooperation from the public while the investigation continues.