Haiti: Attempted coup foiled in Haiti late Feb. 7 amid deadline for the President Jovenal Moise to step down

Event

Reports indicate that authorities thwarted an attempted coup against President Jovenal Moise in Haiti late Feb. 7. The accused were reportedly intending to enter the National Palace and apprehend Moise. Officials arrested at least 23 people, including a judge and another official, for planning the attack. Increased security is likely in Port-au-Prince as the authorities conduct further investigations and arrests.

The incident comes amid ongoing protests against President Jovenal Moise, whose term opposition groups maintain constitutionally ends Feb. 7. Demonstrations, including blockades, are likely to continue in the coming days. The largest protests will probably center on Port-au-Prince. Protesters could gather at Rue Champs de Mars, Palais National, and Parliament, as well as Delmas, Petion-Ville, and the Pelerin 5 area, where the president resides. Protests outside the US Embassy have also become more common. Large demonstrations are likely in other urban centers, including Cap-Haitien, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Petit-Goave, Mirebalais, and Saint-Marc, where protests and highly disruptive anti-government general strikes have recently occurred. Clashes between protesters and police and vandalism is possible.

Context

Opposition groups argue that Moise's five-year term started when his predecessor, Michel Martelly, officially stepped down in 2016; however, Moise, who took office in 2017, has stated that his term ends in 2022. The electoral calendar published by Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) supports Moise presidency through February 2022, with a controversial constitutional referendum scheduled for April 25, the first round of the presidential and legislative on Sept. 19, and the second round scheduled for Nov. 21, along with the local and municipal polls. Some opponents of Moise have further argued that the constitutional referendum called for by the president, who has been ruling by decree since January 2020, is illegal. Given that it is highly unlikely that Moise will step down before the elections are held and that Haiti's election periods are known to be marred by violence and political instability, there is a possibility that the security situation could further worsen over the coming months.

Advice

Monitor local media for information regarding protest activity and road closures, especially in Port-au-Prince. Do not attempt to pass through roadblocks; wait for authorities to remove them. Confirm all business appointments.