00:00Police in Haiti exchanged gunfire with alleged kidnappers in downtown PowerPoint on Monday,
00:06marking another violent episode in the capital's relentless security crisis.
00:10Witnesses say the group was pausing in offices wearing police uniform and driving a government vehicle.
00:17Unconfirmed reports indicate two policemen and two suspected kidnappers were killed.
00:23The shootout followed reports of abductions at false checkpoints where drivers are stopped and seized.
00:29Earlier this month, Haitian National Police killed two alleged kidnappers while foiling an abduction attempt in the Delmas neighborhood.
00:36On Friday, the U.S. Embassy warned employees of an increase in kidnappings for ransom, particularly in Delmas.
00:44Observers warned, despite occasional police actions, abductions remain a primary revenue source for gangs,
00:51which now control an estimated 90 percent of powerpoints and large territories nationwide.
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