Thousands took the streets of Haiti’s capital on Thursday, the latest demonstration in months of protests and violent repression.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise and demanding accounting for Petrocaribe funds used by the government. Much of the financial support to help Haiti rebuild after the devastating 2010 earthquake comes from Venezuela through the Petrocaribe fund. One protester reported he was protesting because of corruption that has enriched a few at the expense of the majority who are poor and hungry.
Protesters marched, some chanted and held banners in the streets of Port-au-Prince saying, “Where is the Petrocaribe money?” Demonstrators were angered over the lack of accountability for the corruption in the present and previous government over the Petrocaribe fund.
Various opposition groups organized the marches and are calling for demonstrations through the weekend unless the president resigns. Authorities said one person had been killed, 36 people arrested and four police cars burned.
Local media reported that in other areas of Haiti, demonstrators had descended on a police station after a shooting, bringing the body in front of the station. Police fired tear gas on the demonstrators who threw rocks. As police ran out of their supply of tear gas, protesters were able to force their way into the police station.
Photo: screenshot from @th1an1 via Twitter
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