Several Haitian cities, including the capital, Port-au-Prince, were paralyzed this Wednesday by demonstrations triggered by the government’s decision to suspend or drastically reduce fuel subsidies, an extremely sensitive issue in this country where gasoline is as scarce as it is essential.
The main roads were blocked by barricades, public transport was paralyzed and many businesses or public institutions had kept their doors closed after the attack on certain businesses by protesters.
The announcement made by the prime minister on Sunday had triggered the anger of a population already tested by insecurity and poverty, which depends on fuel for transport, but also for electricity or cooking.
Diesel and kerosene prices will almost double
The protests only intensified on Wednesday, when the government formalized the suspension of subsidies for diesel and domestic fuel, and the reduction of those for gasoline. Diesel and kerosene prices will almost double, from around 350 gourdes (the Haitian currency) to almost 670 gourdes.
“The financing to continue importing oil derivatives amounts to 9 billion gourdes per month, double the monthly state payroll,” justified the Ministry of Communication.
The “receipts registered at customs” are not enough to pay the subsidies for oil derivatives, he added. This summer, a double shortage of gasoline and electricity had already paralyzed several towns in the province.
Haitian gas pumps regularly run dry, forcing residents to turn to an overpriced black market. Haiti, a country in which gangs are increasingly extending their rule, has been trapped for years in a deep economic and political crisis.
Source: BFM TV
