Police Fire Tear Gas As Hundreds Protest Government In Haiti
On Monday, a large number of Haitian citizens rallied in the streets to express their discontent with Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s unelected government. The administration, under Henry, has witnessed the proliferation of violent gang alliances, gaining influence not only in the capital but also in the surrounding regions.
The national law enforcement utilized tear gas to scatter demonstrators, who ignited car tires, enveloping the streets in billowing clouds of gray smoke.
Henry took control soon after the assassination of the nation’s previous president, Jovenel Moise, in 2021. Subsequently, a void in leadership has paved the way for the emergence of formidable criminal groups, primarily coalescing into two major factions known as G9 and G-Pep.
Conflict between opposing gangs, law enforcement, and citizen vigilante factions has resulted in severe consequences for the community members. They endure indiscriminate murders, widespread sexual assaults, looting, ransom-driven abductions, and arson attacks.
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“Henry has done absolutely nothing for the population; insecurity is everywhere, the roads are destroyed, and no one can get on with their daily lives,” protester Dominique Thelemaque told Reuters.
“We are not here today to wage a war against Ariel Henry to replace him with someone else. We are here today to wage a war against the system.”
Earlier this year, the leader of Human Rights Watch approximated that around 300,000 individuals have been displaced within the country as a result of the ongoing violence.
The United Nations approximates that 170,000 children are displaced within the country, and almost half of the population is experiencing hunger due to the conflict hindering the movement of food, aid, and people throughout the nation.
Police Fire Tear Gas As Hundreds Protest Government In Haiti