Haiti: Protests in Pétion-Ville July 14 after fatal shooting

Event

Protests broke out in Pétion-Ville on Friday, July 14, after police accidentally shot and killed a merchant. Police had been deployed into the area to remove illegal merchants who had set up their shops along the sidewalks of the main streets. During the operation, the police officers fired live rounds, striking one young merchant in the head. The incident sparked a spontaneous protest with people lighting tires on fire and erecting barricades. Expect increased security measures and transportation disruptions in the area.

Context

Sociopolitical tensions have been high across the country in recent years, due to a long-standing political crisis, high levels of poverty and high costs of living, and the government’s inability to effectively respond to successive crises, including the 2010 earthquake, the subsequent cholera epidemic, and 2016’s devastating Hurricane Matthew. Protests, outbreaks of violence, and roadblocks have become common occurrences.

Advice

Individuals are advised to monitor the situation, to strictly avoid all protests and rallies due to the high likelihood of violence, and to adhere to advice and instructions issued by the local authorities and/or their home governments. Avoid discussing sensitive political topics and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate via media reporting.