Haiti: Anti-corruption protests continue in Port-au-Prince November 19 /update 3

Event

Anti-corruption protests have continued in Port-au-Prince as of Monday, November 19. Burning tires, gunfire, and roadblocks have been reported in the vicinities of Canape Vert Road, Bermane Motors, Aristide University, Delmas 33, and Martissant. Demonstrators have also been reportedly throwing rocks, burning tires, and erecting roadblocks in the areas of Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Airport Road, lower Delmas, Nazon, Martissant, La Saline, and Bon Repos. According to local sources on Monday, an American national and a French national were shot and wounded while traveling on a bus in Port-au-Prince. A police officer was reportedly killed in La Saline (Port-au-Prince). A heavy police presence remains deployed on the streets of the capital; no public transportation was operating in Port-au-Prince on Monday and schools remain closed. Similar violent protests have also been reported on Route Nationale 2 in Chalon, and in Cap-Haïtien and Malpasse. 

Civil society organizations and political parties have called for further anti-corruption demonstrations to take place through at least Wednesday, November 21, although such protests have not been confirmed as of November 19. Opposition organizations have also called for a general strike. A heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions are expected near protest sites.

Context

Violent demonstrations took place across Haiti on November 18, including in Pétion-Ville, Lalue, Croix-des-Bouquets, and downtown areas of Port-au-Prince. At least six people have been killed in the protests, with dozens of others wounded or arrested. Most embassies in Port-au-Prince have had their personnel on lockdown since November 17.

Protesters staged multiple demonstrations in October to call for greater government transparency, after several public officials, including President Jovenel Moïse, were implicated in a scandal related to the alleged misuse of PetroCaribe funds.

Advice

Individuals in Haiti are advised to keep abreast of the situation, strictly avoid all protests and associated roadblocks due to the likelihood of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments (e.g. travel restrictions). Be prepared to shelter in place in the event of prolonged civil unrest (e.g. stockpile supplies of preserved foods and fresh water).