OTTAWA, Canada – The government of Canada has warned nationals to avoid traveling to Haiti as violent protests and widespread civil unrest have been taking place across the Caribbean nationfor several weeks.
According to security officials, the situation in the French speaking country could deteriorate quickly and large demonstrations were scheduled to take place from Nov. 4 to 6.
“In addition to this volatile situation, the country is also experiencing water food and fuel shortages,” the officials said. “Many businesses and banks and closed, making it difficult to access cash and commodities of all kinds.”
The Canadian government said roadblocks have been disrupting transportation across the country.
“There have been reports of armed protest orders who throw rocks or shoot at vehicles that get close or kidnap people for ransom money.”
HOSTILITY
On Nov. 1, Radio Canada said there had been widespread hostility towards citizens from the Untied States and Canada.
“Last week protesters reportedly threw rocks at the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince … the walls in Port-au-Prince are covered with graffiti against the UN and also against what everyone here knows as the ‘Core Group’, a group of donor countries, including Canada, the United States, European Union and the Organization of American States.”
The political and economic crisis in Haiti was triggered by the publication in Jan. 2019 of a report on the Venezuela-funded PetroCaribe Oil initiative, under which Caracas provided oil and other petroleum products to Haiti under a preferential agreement.
Opposition parties have been staging street demonstrations over the past weeks demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, whom they have accused of engaging in corruption linked to the Venezuelan funded oil initiative, PetroCaribe.
However Moise, who came to power in 2017, has said he has no intention of stepping down and instead has proposed a national dialogue so as to move the country forward.
