Mass protests in Haiti against president’s authoritarian power grab
Tens of thousands of people protested Sunday in Port-au-Prince and other Haitian cities against President Jovenel Moïse, who has taken steps over the past two weeks to consolidate a presidential dictatorship. Protesters chanted “down with the dictatorship,” while the police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
A protester holds up a copy of the Haitian constitution during a protest to demand the resignation of Haiti s president Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. ( AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
With the full backing of Washington and imperialist-led institutions like the United Nations and Organization of American States (OAS), Moïse is violating Haiti’s constitution by remaining in power after his five-year term expired on February 7.
In its latest Report to the Secretary General on the situation in Haiti, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti indicates in the fight against local violence that there is a mounting insecurity.
United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti - Report of the Secretary-General (S/2021/133) - Haiti reliefweb.int - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reliefweb.int Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Haiti’s chronic hardship and hunger have always been linked to a long string of corrupt, autocratic and brutal politicians who have compounded the country’s instability. The current president, Jovenel Moïse, has now joined the list.
He is involved in a dispute over when he should leave office, and to remain in power he is resorting to criminal gangs that attack opponents while profiting from the kidnapping of people.
Current president, Jovenel Moïse (Photo Internet Reproduction)
After taking office four years ago, Moïse’s term was marked by a deterioration of democratic institutions and extreme violence that turned the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, into a city of fear and despair.