PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Businesses and government offices slowly reopened across Haiti on Monday after more than a week of violent demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise over skyrocketing prices that have more than doubled for basic goods amid allegations of government corruption.
Public transportation resumed in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where people began lining up to buy food, water, and gasoline as crews cleared streets of barricades thrown up during the protests.
Moise has refused to step down, though his prime minister, Jean-Henry Ceant, said over the weekend that he has agreed to reduce certain government budgets by 30 percent, limit travel of government officials and remove all non-essential privileges they enjoy, including phone cards. Ceant also vowed to investigate alleged misspending tied to a Venezuelan program that provided Haiti with subsidized oil and said he has requested that a court audit all state-owned enterprises. He also said he would increase the minimum wage and lower the prices of basic goods, although he did not provide specifics.
TOPSHOT – A tire placed by a small group of demonstrators burns on a street in the commune of Petion Ville in the Haitan capital Port-au-Prince, on February 17, 2019. – The government presented a package of economic measures to try to calm the political crisis. Among these measures, the government announced its objective of reducing the price of rice by 30 percent. Since February 7th, at least seven people have died as Haiti has been plunged into political crisis, with everyday life paralyzed by protests and barricades in the largest towns. Due to the protests and blockades of streets, many water sale deposits and gas stations suffer of shortages, since they have not been supplied by the trucks that distribute it. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A tire placed by a small group of demonstrators burns on a street in the commune of Petion Ville in the Haitan capital Port-au-Prince, on February 17, 2019. – The government presented a package of economic measures to try to calm the political crisis. Among these measures, the government announced its objective of reducing the price of rice by 30 percent. Since February 7th, at least seven people have died as Haiti has been plunged into political crisis, with everyday life paralyzed by protests and barricades in the largest towns. Due to the protests and blockades of streets, many water sale deposits and gas stations suffer of shortages, since they have not been supplied by the trucks that distribute it. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators clash with Haitian police amid teargas, in Port-au-Prince, on February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. – Since February 7, at least seven people have died as Haiti has been plunged into political crisis, with everyday life paralyzed by protests and barricades in the largest towns. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Pedestrians walk past next to barricades during clashes with Haitian police, in Port-au-Prince, on February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. – Since February 7, at least seven people have died as Haiti has been plunged into political crisis, with everyday life paralyzed by protests and barricades in the largest towns. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A demonstrator walks past next to barricades during clashes with Haitian police, in Port-au-Prince, on February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. – Since February 7, at least seven people have died as Haiti has been plunged into political crisis, with everyday life paralyzed by protests and barricades in the largest towns. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
After having burned a US flag, protesters chants “Long live Putin, down with the Americans”, in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators place a tire barricade during clashes with Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
After having burned a US flag, protesters chants “Long live Putin, down with the Americans”, in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – After having burned a US flag, protesters chants “Long live Putin, down with the Americans”, in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A protester burns a US flag during a demonstration in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. – After having burned the flag, the young men chanted “Long live Putin, down with the Americans”. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A protester burns a US flag during a demonstration in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A protester shows a Russian flag and sings a slogan in favor of Putin, in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, during the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Many Haitians remained wary of those promises, and schools remained closed on Monday amid concerns of more violence.
“The government is making statements that are not changing anything at this point,” said Hector Jean, a moto taxi driver who was waiting for customers. He recently had to buy a gallon of gas for 500 gourdes ($6), more than twice what he normally pays, and he has been unable to find customers who can afford to pay higher fares.
“It’s very hard to bring something home,” he said. “I have three kids.”
Other goods in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation have also doubled in price in recent weeks: A sack of rice now costs $18 and a can of dry beans around $7. In addition, a gallon of cooking oil has gone up to nearly $11 from $7. Inflation has been in the double digits since 2014, and the price hikes are angering many people in Haiti, where about 60 per cent of its nearly 10.5 million people struggle to get by on about $2 a day. A recent report by the U.S. Agency for International Development said about half the country is undernourished.
Dozens of people on Monday stood outside a financial services company waiting to pick up money transfers from relatives abroad. Among them was 35-year-old Andre Simon, a taxi driver who had been standing in line for at least three hours and has been unable to work for more than a week.
“I don’t have anything at home,” said Simon, who drives a small, brightly colored truck known as a tap-tap. “I need that money badly.”
The latest violent demonstrations prompted the U.S. government to warn people last week not to travel to Haiti as it urged Moise’s administration to implement economic reforms and redouble efforts to fight corruption and hold accountable those implicated in the scandal over the Venezuelan subsidized oil program, known as Petrocaribe. A Haitian Senate investigation has alleged embezzlement by at least 14 former officials in ex-President Michel Martelly’s administration, but no one has been charged. Meanwhile, Haitians have demanded a probe into the spending of the $3.8 billion Haiti received as part of the Petrocaribe program.
“Corruption goes unpunished, and people are just really tired of it,” said Athena Kolbe, a human rights researcher who has worked in Haiti. “I can’t imagine that things are going to calm down.”
She said she doesn’t believe claims that opposition leaders are behind the demonstrations or that people are being paid to protest as has happened in previous years given the incredible number of people that have taken to the streets in recent days. However, Kolbe warned that even if Moise were forced to step down, it would not resolve one of Haiti’s underlying issues: how to address corruption.
“People are just kind of exhausted with the business elite running the country and retaining control and not knowing where public funds are going,” she said.
A demonstrator throws stones during clashes with Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A demonstrator throws stones during clashes with Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A demonstrator holds stones during clashes with Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A demonstrator kicks a teargas canister during clashes with Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, February 15, 2019, on the ninth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators place barricades during clashes, in front of the National Palace, in the centre of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, on February 13, 2019. – This is the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Haitian Police walk through tear gas smoke after demonstrators threw the canister back at them, during clashes, in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, on February 13, 2019. – This is the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Demonstrators flee as Haitian Police open fire, during the clashes, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019. – This is the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Haitian police shoot their weapon while pursuing demonstrators, during the clashes, in the centre of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, on February 13, 2019. – This is the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Burning tires are placed by demonstrators during clashes, in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, on February 13, 2019. – This is the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Haitian Police are trying to disolve a protest, in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, on February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Haitian Police shoot their weapons during clashes with demonstrators, in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Haitian Police pursue demonstrators, during the clashes in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, on February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
The body of a dead demonstrator lies on the ground, amid teargas, during the clashes in front of the National Palace in the center of the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. – Demonstrators moved the body of the dead demonstrator, killed moments before during clashes with police nearby, near the National Palace as a form of protest. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Haitian police clash with demonstrators, near to the National Palace, in the center of the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A fireman extinguishes burning cars at the offices of Television Nationale d’Haiti in the Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A demonstrator shows stones during clashes with Haitian Police in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A demonstrator gestures at Haitian Police during clashes near the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A demonstrator gestures during clashes in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A tear gas canister, fired by the police, hits protesters during the clashes in front of the National Palace, in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince, February 13, 2019, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A car is placed as a barricade by demonstrators during clashes in the center of Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on February 12, 2019, as the sixth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of Petrocaribe funds continued. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
A man who was caught looting in a shop is arrested by the Haitian police in the center of Haitian Capital Port-au-Prince on February 12, 2019, as the sixth day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of Petrocaribe funds continued. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Demonstrators arrested for looting inside a bank sit in the back of a truck on the fifth day of protests in Port-au-Prince, February 11, 2019, against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of Petrocaribe funds. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators march on the streets on the fifth day of protests in Port-au-Prince, February 11, 2019, against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of Petrocaribe funds. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A woman walks past tire barricades set ablaze by demonstrators on the fourth day of protests in Port-au-Prince, February 10, 2019, against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and misuse of Petrocaribe fund. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Martelly hand-picked Moise in 2015 to be the candidate for the ruling Tet Kale party even though the businessman from northern Haiti had never run for office. Moise was sworn in as president in February 2017 for a five-year term and promised to fight corruption and bring investment and jobs to one of the least developed nations in the world. His swearing-in marked Haiti’s return to constitutional rule a year after Martelly left office without an elected successor amid waves of opposition protests and a political stalemate that led to suspended elections.
Moise’s administration previously set off deadly protests in July when officials abruptly announced double-digit increases in the prices for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to eliminate fuel subsidies and boost government revenue. At least seven people died in those protests, which also forced Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant to resign after facing a no-confidence vote in parliament.
___
Associated Press writer Evens Sanon reported this story in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and AP writer Danica Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.