The Current Protests

So here I wanted to give a little history and background on what is going on in Haiti that has prompted the nationwide protests, and what the reality of life is on the ground right now within Haiti. I know there is a shear lack of information that reaches the US and that is largely due to the fact that the main form of news in Haiti is radio, not online and paper reporting, as well as social media (Facebook). So that means that pretty much 24/7 we have the radio on and are monitoring the situation through those we know on the ground.

Let's step back to the 2016 presidential election in Haiti, elections that are a run-off system (with a first-round vote and then a second-round if a single candidate doesn't win the majority). The first-round vote, rife with fraud and vote rigging, was conducted on October 25, 2015. Allegations and proof included many disgruntled politicians coming forth on radio stations with proof of payment they had made to current government officials to secure positions in the election, thousands of falsified ballots being discovered in a government official's car, and systemic issues and lack of ability within the government.

After months of protests for a recount and the devastation following Hurricane Mathew - the general public took to the streets and demanded current President Martelly step down at the end of his elected term. Martelly stepped down February 7, 2016, and then-president of Haiti's Senate, Jocelerme Privert, took over as interim president.

Finally in October 2016 a fresh round of elections were held, with a second round scheduled for January 2017. However, there was no need for the second-round with one candidate winning over 50% of the vote, with voter turn out of around 18.11%.

That cadidate was Jovenel Moïse, 48-year-old banana exporter with zero political experience. Candidate of the Haiti Tèt Kale Party, Moïse is someone many Haitians don't regard as their true president. A candidate simply selected from the elite to be malleable and easily controlled by those with economic and foreign interests and then placed into the presidency, sworn in February 7, 2017.

Fast forward two years later, with the country in economic free fall and inflation has risen to 15%, conditions in Haiti have grown much worse under the current presidency. With major events occurring over the years hitting Haitians hard and close to home:

July 2018 - Haiti's commerce and economy ministries announced fuel price increases (38% for gasoline, 47% for diesel, 51% for kerosene) that would take effect at midnight, hoping Haitians would be too distracted by the Brazil-Belgium World Cup game. As part of a six month agreement with the IMF that would grant Haiti access to $96 in low-interest loans and grants, Haiti agreed to institute several reforms including removing fuel price subsidies. However, the extreme price spike with little to no warning, created mass protests over the unlivable new costs of fuel. The government agreed to postpone the price increase and since the price of fuel has steadily increased.

October 2018 - Thousands protested following alleged misuse of $3.8 billion by the Haitian government in a movement deemed the PetroCaribe Scandal. The money, due to Haiti under the PetroCaribe oil alliance deal with Venezuela, was earmarked for infrastructure and social and economic projects. The case, which implicates four Haitian presidents and over six governments, is the largest operation of corruption and embezzlement of public funds in the history of Haiti.

January 2019 - Haiti faces a fuel crisis, with prices steadily rising since July 2018. With major fuel suppliers claiming over $35 million in overdue payments, more than 60,000 barrels of gasoline and 260,000 barrels of diesel remain anchored off of Port-au-Prince without payment. Haiti's Bureau of Monetization of Programs and Development Aid (BMPAD) is currently the only agency allowed to import and distribute fuel into Haiti following a 2018 presidential decree. BMPAD and major fuel supplier, Novum, have enjoyed good relationships with Novum crediting the government up to $70 million on 45-day payment terms in the past. But the relationship has deteriorated as payments have taken upwards of 100 days as the country struggles with lack of US dollars to make international payments. If this continues there is a risk of loss of telecommunications, with the country's largest mobile provider, Digicel burning about 650,000 gallons a month to keep operations running. The reality on the ground is that fuel is increasingly difficult to find and obtain, with traffic during rush hour becoming stagnant as long lines of cars fight over the little fuel left at select stations.

And now, as Carnaval approaches, a major nationwide celebration in Haiti, protests have reached a boiling point as the people demand President Moïse resign from power. Thousands have taken to the streets in every major city, from Jackmel to Cap-Haitien to Port-au-Prince, as the people demand change from the current regime. Fighting against a regime of deceit and greed, protests have grown increasing violent with cars and tires being burned and destroyed in major streets, banks and businesses looted, and road blocks preventing citizens from getting to their places of work and education.

From those I know on the ground (who are all safe thankfully) most are remaining indoors safely as protestors are not entering households or climbing the large concrete walls that surround most larger Haitian residences. It's a struggle to get to the market and they usually send male members of their family when they can, but many businesses remain closed for fear of looting and employees inability to get to work.

After almost a week of protests, mounting violence, and over five dead, President Moïse still has refused to make a statement. The UN and many major Western Nations have called to Moïse to engage in dialogue with the protestors to reach a solution. While the US Embassy has advised all non-essential personnel to leave the country, I do find it important to point out that the US Embassy in Haiti has a well known culture of unnecessarily dramatizing danger and needlessly creating fear. The reality remains this: inside you are safe. My friends in Haiti largely remain at home (with work and school being canceled regardless), continue to monitor the situation on the ground, travel in groups, and avoid protest hot spots.

To all those at home I just wanted to give all a rounder image of what is going on, why it is going on, and to inform all of the reality of the situation. We are all hoping that Moïse and the government will take steps to compromise and work with the protestors. Until that happens, we all stay updated day by day, holding our breath.