In a roll call, only 99 inmates responded that they were present. The prison, the largest in Haiti, held 3,696 inmates, according to local media based on data from officials in the sector.

Before the attack, the bandits monitored the prison with a drone. Once they had the necessary information, they began the skirmish with pistols and semi-automatic machine guns against the officers on duty.

The police forces found it impossible to repel the attack on Saturday and were forced to abandon the scene in the face of the number and firepower of their adversaries.

Videos posted online show the return of some gang leaders who were on their way to their strongholds, where it will be hard to arrest them.

About 4,000 prisoners, among them 18 Colombians implicated in the plot to assassinate President Jovenel Moise (1968-2021), were held at Haiti’s National Penitentiary.

National Palace security chief Dimitri Hérard and Presidential Security Coordinator Jean Laguel Civil were also in that prison.

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