A journalist was killed Wednesday, February 23 in Port-au-Prince on the sidelines of a violent demonstration which brought together thousands of workers in the textile industry, deeming the increase in the minimum wage announced Monday by the government insufficient. “I deplore the death of the journalist Lazarre Maxihen, which occurred during the demonstrations of the workers, this Wednesday”, Prime Minister Ariel Henry confirmed on Twitter. This Haitian photojournalist worked for the online media Rois des infos.
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The Haitian Prime Minister adds that he “also condemns the violence which has caused injuries”. Two other journalists were injured by shots fired by hooded men driving in a car without license plates, noted a photographer working for AFP. It is unclear whether these media professionals were targeted because of their profession. The judicial police have opened an investigation. “We are out of breath, we condemn every day”reacted Jacques Sampeur, president of the national association of Haitian media.
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Before the tragedy, the police had made extensive use of tear gas canisters in the face of demonstrators throwing stones. Responding to the announcement of the unions having planned three days of mobilization starting this Wednesday, the procession gathered thousands of people and occupied one of the main arteries of the Haitian capital, hampered by numerous barricades of burning tires.