Haiti protests: Rioting in Port-au-Prince over the cost of fuel
Friday (July 6th), following the announcement on the social networks of a significant increase in the price of fuel at the pump the people spontaneously took the streets to release their anger and protest in violence.
In the middle-class neighborhoods, many shop windows and windshield have been broken by stones by angry demonstrators who accused the Head of State of being at the service of the IMF and not of the Haitian people. Several cars were burned including a vehicle of the National Police of Haiti (PNH)
Throughout the afternoon, there was a lot of tension in the capital, people panicked to find shelter or return home. Port-au-Prince’s main thoroughfares were blocked by barricades of inflamed tires, of rock, old vehicle carcasses and tree trunks. Traffic was paralyzed and most businesses closed.
The situation was particularly tense in Pétion-ville, near the residence of President Moïse, but demonstrations were also held at Delmas, Lalue, Nazon, Champs de Mars, Sofa-green, Bon Repos, Leogane Portal, Carrefour Marassa, Kenscoff among others.
Witnesses report at least two victims killed by bullets at Turgeau. In addition, a security officer was allegedly lynched by a group of hooded individuals while attempting to force a barricade erected by protesters.
During this day of violence, the PNH was rather discreet…
Saturday evening, tension remained in several neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince where traffic was impossible because of the many barricades and various objects strewn the streets. Violence has also been reported in Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes, Jacmel and Petit-Goâve among others …
Several commercial buildings, including supermarkets were attacked, particularly on the axis of Delmas, on the outskirts of the capital. Beginnings of looting were observed, while the presence of police on the streets was minimal. The Delimart Super Market in Delmas 30, has faced stone throwing and individuals set fire to the Market court requiring the intervention of firefighters.
On Saturday, in front of the hotel and on the parking lot of the Best Western Hotel, several cars were burned by unidentified individuals, same situation reported to the Oasis hotel.
A start of fire has also been reported at the Coca Cola plant…
Michel-Ange Gédéon, the Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) confirms the burning of at least two police stations and several police cars.
Due to the violent situation in Haiti many airlines : American Airlines, Air France, Delta, Blue Jet, Copa, Spirit decided Saturday to cancel all their flights to Port-au-Prince. At least one plane has been redirected to Pointe-à-Pitre. Air Transat flights scheduled for this Sunday between Montreal and Port-au-Prince have been postponed for the moment to Monday, July 9. Please visit their website to follow the developments. Bahamas Air also suspended its flights “sine die”.
Regarding the many companies sacked or looted on Friday and Saturday, President Moïse said that the State will be responsible for its actions contradicting the statement a few hours before by Delva, the Minister of Communication at the microphone of Radio Kiskeya who claimed that the government will not compensate entrepreneurs and victims of urban violence…
In addition, the Head of State denounced a manipulation of the population, convinced that the population did not participate in the acts of looting of the stores registered everywhere in the metropolitan area… At the same time, the messages of the authorities condemning and deploring succeed each other, because they can not restore order, calm and public security…
Source: haitilibre.com
July 8, 2018
UPDATE: Haitians and tourists fleeing Haiti
There has been a marked exodus of wealthy Haitian families arriving in Las Isabela, Joaquin Balaguer airport as they fled the violence in Haiti. On Monday, 9 July 2018, there were 25 flight arrivals including Century, Sunrise and Helidosa who serve the Santo Domingo – Port au Prince route, as well as private planes and helicopters.
In addition, tourists, foreign diplomats and their families from a number of missions to Haiti were also evacuated to the Dominican Republic. Many of the diplomats and tourists leaving Haiti made connections at Dominican airports to other destinations.
Source: DR1, Hoy
July 12, 2018
Category: DR News |