The latest protests come as inflation has reached its highest level in a decade, chronic gang violence has left much of Haiti’s territory out of government reach and bloody turf battles between rival gangs have killed hundreds and displaced thousands.
The start of the school year has been pushed back a month, until October, as parents struggle to make ends meet, and the daily lives of countless Haitians are punctuated by a seemingly endless search for fuel. Meanwhile, the cost of public transport has skyrocketed, as have the prices of many basic groceries.
After a speech by Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Sunday, Haitians are now bracing for a hike in fuel prices, amid growing shortages of gasoline and diesel that could force some businesses to close.
“Do we find it normal that the state tries to set up social programs but is only able to mobilize 3 billion gourdes (26.1 million dollars) while we are spending more than 50 billion gourdes (434.8 million) to subsidize fuel for those who can afford it at normal rates,” Henry said.
“We will have to adjust fuel prices,” he warned.
Videos circulating on social media on Tuesday underscore the dire situation. One shows a man trying to descend a street and blocks his motorbike as another man pelts him with rocks until he falls over. The man limps off the ground and faces his attacker, when the video cuts out.
Another video shows dozens of Haitians scattering in the street after the sound of gunfire, then cuts to scenes of people being treated after apparently being shot.
Mr. Henry and Haiti’s national police chief, Frantz Elbe, both urged international partners to support the police in order to control the violence.
“There are numerous reports of roadblocks, burning tires and stone throwing in many places in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Please avoid unnecessary travel and remain vigilant as the security situation is unpredictable,” he said. said the US Embassy in Haiti in a security alert.
Haiti’s fuel stocks have been depleted as fuel importers struggle to be paid for subsidies that keep fuel prices low on the island nation, and because of difficulties getting dollars from the central bank, officials said. Reuters source.
($1 = 115.0000 gourdes)