Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Port-au-Prince and other Haitian cities on Monday to protest rampant crime and violence. At the same time, the central bank of Haiti announced that inflation reached a decade high.
Demonstrators set fire to roadblocks they had set up in some areas, including the capital Port-au-Prince, expressing their anger and outrage at the dramatic fuel shortages that are threatening many businesses with a “lockout”.
Jean-Baptiste Dubois, governor of Haiti’s central bank, estimated that the economy will shrink by 0.4% this year, following the significant devaluation of the national currency (gourde). “Taking into account the data from June 2022, inflation has risen to 29%,” Dubois told a news conference, underlining that “it is at the highest level in the last 10 years.”
The demonstrations coincided with the anniversary of the 1791 slave revolt that ignited the revolution that led to Haiti’s independence from France in 1804. Also, many protesters wore red T-shirts emblazoned with the word “Independence.”
The chronic crime problem has left much of the territory at the mercy of gangs, as authorities are unable to restore order. Bloody clashes between rival gangs have left hundreds of people dead and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.
At the same time, the country’s fuel reserves are running out and the shortages observed have left many Haitians without work.
SOURCE: AMPE
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
