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In the midst of the deep financial and social crisis in the poorest nation in the hemisphere, the Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, reported this September 12 on a new rise in fuel prices. The announcement increases the anger of hundreds of people who for weeks have been protesting the worsening of living conditions, including the economy and the increase in violence, for which they demand the resignation of the political leader.
Haiti, a nation mired in a spiral of multiple crises.
The inhabitants of the impoverished country received new worrying news when, in a speech issued at dawn on Monday, September 12, the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, reported that there will be an upcoming and new increase in fuel prices.
The nation has already faced a shortage of fuel for at least three months, which has raised its price and in turn that of public transport and basic necessities.
In the informal market, the gallon is sold for up to around 16 dollars. An important figure for the population of the poorest territory in America.
However, the leader of the Government indicated that his Administration will have to adjust the cost, with the hope that “in a not too distant time we should return to find fuel regularly”, he indicated.
In his speech, Henry pointed out that the State invests around 427 million dollars in subsidizing flammables. However, the measure has failed to undermine its insolvency and high cost.
The announcement comes despite the fact that citizens have been protesting for months about the worsening of their living conditions, which are exacerbated by dizzying inflation that has reached up to 30%, the lack of gasoline and gang violence.
In recent days, protests have taken to the streets again and Haitians are demanding the resignation of the prime minister, who took over as the highest authority in the country after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
Thousands march and block streets with stones, trucks and burning tires. Ariel, you have to go! and Go away, Ariel! They are the usual cries of the crowds.
Haitian Prime Minister calls for international aid and urges calm
Given the serious scenario, the premier also took advantage of his speech to ask for international help to combat gang violence in Haitian territory, strengthen the Police, combat corruption and improve the economy.
“The country has many problems (…) I call on everyone to remain calm. The government is working with what it has,” said Ariel.
The political leader condemned the violence of the recent protests, although he acknowledged that Haiti is being hit by multiple crises and thousands in his nation live in extreme poverty.
“The solution to the country’s problems does not go through burning barricades, disorders, the destruction of car windows or the destruction of people’s property,” assured the prime minister while warning that Justice will pursue to all those who commit irreparable acts.
Henry Ariel pledged once again to work to hold a general election, marking the first anniversary of his swearing-in after Moïse’s assassination, and denied accusations that he is trying to stay in power.
“That’s not true,” he said, adding that the country should enter “electoral mode” before the end of this year. A promise that he has made repeatedly since he took office in September 2021.
However, it has not moved to appoint an electoral council to supervise the voting and US officials say that this body will take at least six months to organize the elections.
Haiti currently has only 10 elected officials, all members of the Senate, after legislative elections failed to be held in October 2019 amid political deadlock and mass protests.
Precisely for this reason, President Jovenel Moïse had been ruling by decree for more than a year before he was assassinated.
The judicial process for the assassination of Moïse stalls and thousands flee the country
Attempts to try those arrested for the president’s assassination have stalled after the resignation of four judges appointed to oversee the investigation. Some said they feared for their lives.
Henry himself is under suspicion. Last year he fired a chief prosecutor who he had asked a judge to charge him with. The official had asked the prime minister to explain why he spoke twice to a key suspect in the assassination just hours after the crime. However, Henry has denied any involvement.
More than 40 people have been arrested in Haiti, including high-ranking police officers and a group of retired Colombian soldiers. At least two of the three suspects held outside the nation have been extradited to the United States, where they face charges including conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States.
Meanwhile, gang-related violence and kidnappings have skyrocketed, and a growing number of Haitians are fleeing the country. A journey in which dozens of people have died in recent months due to the sinking of inadequate and overloaded smuggling boats.
With EFE and AP
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