Port-Au-Prince: Thousands of Haitians flooded the streets of Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, voicing their frustration over the growing stranglehold of armed gangs on the capital and surrounding areas. Protesters denounced the government’s inability to curb the violence that has left communities in fear and forced over a million people from their homes.
A coalition of violent armed groups, known as Viv Ansanm, has gained control over much of the city, exacerbating the country’s economic paralysis and deepening an already dire hunger crisis. These gangs have been accused of extortion, mass rapes, and killings, further destabilizing the nation.
The transitional government, led by a presidential council established nearly a year ago, has struggled to combat the gangs. Despite support from an underfunded and understaffed U.N.-backed security mission, authorities have made little progress in reclaiming gang-controlled areas.
“Do you see what is happening?” protester Joseph Mackendy told Reuters at the demonstration. “Today, the Haitian people will fight for freedom. We are free. Those men cannot frighten me.”
Residents marched through the streets carrying banners and palm fronds, with some wielding machetes and firearms. Initially peaceful, the protest later descended into chaos when gunfire erupted, causing panic and prompting the crowds to scatter.
“We, the residents of the Solino neighborhood, want to return home, and we will go home,” said protester Julien David.
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Critics argue that the government’s failure to push back against the gangs stems from corruption and possible collusion with armed groups and their financial backers. While officials have rejected these claims, Haiti’s judicial system has long been plagued by corruption and remains effectively paralyzed amid the ongoing violence.
The protest comes just days after a mass jailbreak in the central town of Mirebalais, further fueling concerns over the country’s deteriorating security situation.
In a separate development on Wednesday, Haiti was among the countries hit with new 10% tariffs by the United States. This move poses a significant economic challenge for the struggling Caribbean nation, which relies heavily on exports to the U.S., including textiles, spirits, and cosmetics.
“One more problem for a suffering country,” economist Enomy Germain, head of consultancy ProEco Haiti, remarked on social media. The U.S. recorded a $598 million trade surplus with Haiti last year, further highlighting the potential economic strain the tariffs may bring.
