I have a close friend working and living in Haiti who is due to come home in mid-2019 from this posting in Port-au-Prince. Their networks, their Embassy, the US Embassy, and the news is saying things are going to get really bad this week.
The bad news is that their network is saying that the US government is warning US citizens there that something will happen this week as seen in news and posted links below, too). I am concerned it will be a coup d’état, of course. The current President is pretty stubborn and not really leading, either, from the sounds of things. The airport in P-au-P is part or mostly closed down. People are sheltering in place.
More on President Moïse: First link here en.wikipedia.org/...
Here are some links and news — this is because of a proposed fuel hike but for over a year now there has been a lot of protesting on the inequalities in Haiti and how difficult it is for normal people to find work and be able to live without a threat of insecurity. And there is speculation too that the USA is part of this unrest, but I have not found a link to substantiate that information.
HaitiLibre: www.haitilibre.com/…
Haiti - ALERT : Message from the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince
09/07/2018 09:13:20
"Due to continuing demonstrations, roadblocks, and violence across Port-au-Prince and throughout Haiti, U.S. citizens should continue to shelter in place. Do not travel to the airport unless you confirmed your flight is departing. Flights are cancelled today and the airport has limited food and water available.
Telecommunications services, including Internet and phone lines, have been affected throughout Haiti. It may be difficult to reach people through normal communication methods.
U.S. Embassy personnel are still under a shelter-in-place order. The embassy will continue to monitor the situation.
"We express our deepest condolences to all those affected by this event. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with Haitian authorities to verify the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens in the area.," declared the US Department of State.
From the BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/…
At least four people have been killed in three days of protests against a steep hike in fuel prices imposed by the Haitian government on Friday. Protesters set alight cars and blocked roads in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other towns.
From the US State Department: ht.usembassy.gov/…
Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Event: The Embassy is aware flights are arriving to Port-au-Prince’s international airport. We continue to advise U.S. citizens to shelter in place at this time. If you do decide to leave your residence or hotel to travel to the airport, please exercise extreme caution. There are disruptions and roadblocks along both Routes National 1 and 2 entering into Port-au-Prince. Do not drive through roadblocks. Only go to the airport if you have a confirmed seat on a flight. Flights out of Haiti are currently overbooked. Expect large crowds and delays at the airport. Bring adequate food, water and other supplies.
Actions to Take:
- Contact your family to keep them informed of your welfare and whereabouts.
- Shelter in place.
- Exercise extreme caution if you decide to leave your residence or hotel.
- Avoid protests and any large gathering of people.
- Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks.
- If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.
- Do not seek shelter at the U.S. Embassy.
From the Canadian Government: www.canada.ca/…
July 8, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
“Canada is concerned with the ongoing violence and civil unrest in Haiti. We call for calm and respect for the rule of law by all, to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the violence.
“Canadians stand with the people of Haiti during this difficult time and we offer our deepest condolences to the victims of the violence.
...
“At any time, Canadians requiring emergency consular assistance can contact the nearest Government of Canada office or Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa by calling +1 613 996 8885 collect or by sending an email message to sos@international.gc.ca.”
Canada News: globalnews.ca/…
“We recommend to all Canadians in Haiti to shelter in safe place and to avoid travelling during this time,” the government advised.
The Canadian embassy was forced to close Monday as a result of the ongoing violence. At least three people were killed in protests Friday, and police said the bodies of four people were found Sunday in the streets of the Delmas district, though they didn’t say if that was related to the protests.
From WAPO www.washingtonpost.com/…
"The poor people want to be able to eat," one masked protester told Reuters. "I want to tell [President] Jovenel [Moïse] that Haiti is not for him and his family. Haiti is for every Haitian. He needs to leave the country and leave the country to us so we can live."
The government has since backed away from the proposed (fuel) price increase. On Saturday, Moïse urged protesters to "go home."
With all the news about the UK government today with 4 major resignations, and other world news, I did not see a diary here on this and wanted to share.
Please keep an eye on Haiti in the coming days. Sending them love and light may be helpful too, but definitely keep them in your thoughts.
From Michael Harriot at The Root: www.theroot.com/…
As unrest envelops Haiti once again, it is important for us to remember that Haiti suffers from a worldwide collusion between America and European countries intent on making the tropical paradise suffer. To blame Haiti’s problems on white people is not a harebrained hypothesis. It is an unbelievably treacherous fact that it often sounds like a kooky conspiracy theory.
Yes, Haiti is poor. Yes, there is widespread government corruption in the country. But there is also one other unignorable fact: White people did this.
He’s not far off the mark. :(