Haitis top gang leader threatens politicians as fires break out in capital [Video]

A powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would take part in a planned transition council, as fires broke out amid a fresh surge of violence in the capital.

After unpopular Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday he would step down once the council was in place, the capital was initially quieter but violence appeared to be flaring up again as of late Wednesday, with a shootout in one neighbourhood and an attack on the police academy early on Thursday.

A fire broke out at the main penitentiary, emptied of prisoners by armed men earlier this month. Thick black smoke earlier billowed out from the facility, but the fire appeared to be under control by Thursday afternoon. Reuters could not immediately establish if any people had remained in the jail or what sparked the blaze.

A police union said the national …