Haitians demand answers from police after gangs kill 47

Haiti’s National Police are facing mounting criticism over why authorities failed to prevent a recent gang attack in which 47 people were killed and more than 50 kidnapped.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s National Police are facing mounting criticism over why authorities failed to prevent a recent gang attack in which 47 people were killed and more than 50 kidnapped.

Police spokesperson Garry Desrosiers took only a handful of questions from journalists at a news conference Thursday, just days after gangs attacked Kenscoff, a once-peaceful farming community nestled in the hills near Port-au-Prince.

Asked what police are planning to do about those kidnapped, Desrosiers said he could not answer that question publicly.

“We cannot talk about any plans,” he said.

One gang leader has threatened to execute all the hostages if any gang members are killed as police work to secure Kenscoff.