PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI: Gunfire broke out as thousands of protesters clashed with police in Haiti on Wednesday, demanding action against surging gang violence that has gripped the country.
At least a dozen heavily armed demonstrators opened fire on officers outside the offices of the prime minister and the transitional presidential council. An AP journalist at the scene reported no casualties.
The protest marks the first major challenge to the administration of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, appointed by the council in November.
The demonstration, which began peacefully, descended into chaos when shots rang out, causing the crowd to flee, leaving behind shoes, caps, and sunglasses on the streets. Protesters wielded machetes, tree branches, and palm fronds as they marched through the capital, where schools, banks, and businesses remained shut. Flaming tires blocked roads as they chanted, "Let's go, let's go, let's go and get them out!"
One protest organiser, who covered his face and declined to be named, said their goal was to "take over the prime minister's office and burn down the CPT," referring to the transitional presidential council’s headquarters.
Haiti’s gang crisis has worsened, with armed groups now controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince. According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 60,000 people fled their homes in just one month.
"We have never observed such large numbers of people moving in this short time," said Gregoire Goodstein, IOM's Haiti chief.
In March, UN human rights expert William O'Neill described Port-au-Prince as "an open-air prison," warning that gangs were taking over previously safe areas, killing, raping, and burning homes, businesses, churches, and schools.
The violence has extended beyond the capital. On Monday, gangs attacked the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti, storming a prison and freeing over 500 inmates. The raid, along with attacks in nearby Saut d’Eau, left more than 5,900 people homeless, according to an IOM report released Wednesday.
A recent UN report found that over 4,200 people were killed in Haiti from July to February, with 1,356 others injured.
O'Neill has urged the international community to bolster the UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police to support Haitian authorities. However, the mission currently has only 40% of its planned 2,500 personnel and has struggled to contain the gangs.
At least a dozen heavily armed demonstrators opened fire on officers outside the offices of the prime minister and the transitional presidential council. An AP journalist at the scene reported no casualties.
The protest marks the first major challenge to the administration of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, appointed by the council in November.
The demonstration, which began peacefully, descended into chaos when shots rang out, causing the crowd to flee, leaving behind shoes, caps, and sunglasses on the streets. Protesters wielded machetes, tree branches, and palm fronds as they marched through the capital, where schools, banks, and businesses remained shut. Flaming tires blocked roads as they chanted, "Let's go, let's go, let's go and get them out!"
One protest organiser, who covered his face and declined to be named, said their goal was to "take over the prime minister's office and burn down the CPT," referring to the transitional presidential council’s headquarters.
Haiti’s gang crisis has worsened, with armed groups now controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince. According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 60,000 people fled their homes in just one month.
"We have never observed such large numbers of people moving in this short time," said Gregoire Goodstein, IOM's Haiti chief.
In March, UN human rights expert William O'Neill described Port-au-Prince as "an open-air prison," warning that gangs were taking over previously safe areas, killing, raping, and burning homes, businesses, churches, and schools.
The violence has extended beyond the capital. On Monday, gangs attacked the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti, storming a prison and freeing over 500 inmates. The raid, along with attacks in nearby Saut d’Eau, left more than 5,900 people homeless, according to an IOM report released Wednesday.
A recent UN report found that over 4,200 people were killed in Haiti from July to February, with 1,356 others injured.
O'Neill has urged the international community to bolster the UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police to support Haitian authorities. However, the mission currently has only 40% of its planned 2,500 personnel and has struggled to contain the gangs.
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