Haitian police storm prime minister’s residence in riots after 78 cops killed by gangs | World | News

Haiti police began rioting in the capital Port-Au-Prince on Thursday after 14 officers were killed by criminal gangs. The government is accused by the police of not acting against gangs that are more armed than the police.

In an escalation of tensions, a number of officers reportedly stormed through the gates of Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s official residence.

Officers, believed to be part of the Haitian National Police, reportedly smashed car windows and fired guns into the courtyard.

They did not enter the building itself, according to an employee of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The prime minister and his chief of staff were not present, lowering security.

However, the incident comes just 18 months after President Jovenel Moise was fatally shot in his home.

The country’s international airport in the capital was also attacked as agents tried to enter.

According to The Washington Post, protesters and some uniformed officers broke a window at Toussaint Louverture International Airport and destroyed an entrance.

The country is plagued by increasing violence and failing security conditions, as armed gangs attack the police.

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Mr Henry’s plane had just landed in Port-au-Prince when it returned from a summit in Argentina.

According to Haiti’s Radio Tele Metronome, the prime minister was able to flee the airport.

The UN envoy to Haiti, Helen La Lime, said on Wednesday: “The situation in Haiti is serious.

“You know that gang violence has reached new heights. On average, we will be confronted with kidnappings every six hours by 2022.”