LatinNews Daily - 09 July 2018

Haiti: Violent protests sparked by proposed increases in fuel prices left at least three people dead and dozens injured over the weekend of 7-8 July, despite an announcement by the government led by President Jovenel Moïse suspending the measure. Protests began in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and spread to Les Cayes commune (Sud department), Cap-Haïtien commune (Nord department), and Malpasse town (Ouest department) on the border with the Dominican Republic. According to local media, prices of petrol, diesel, and kerosene would have increased by 38%-51%. The price increases are part of a deal reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in February 2018, which would allow the Moïse government access to funding from key donors such as the European Union (EU), World Bank (WB), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – US$96m in total on international media reports. Transport unions have called for a general strike despite Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant announcing that the price increases would be suspended “until further notice”.

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