Weekly Report - 03 October 2019 (WR-19-39)

President Jovenel Moïse is facing the biggest mass protests since taking office in February 2017. With long-running public anger over government corruption, not least stemming from his alleged embezzlement of funds from Venezuela’s discounted oil initiative Petrocaribe, and fuel shortages, the latest crisis was prompted by Moïse’s efforts to get the senate to ratify his unpopular choice of Fritz William Michel as prime minister [WR-19-38]. Concessions since offered by Moïse in recent days have yet to have an impact while the pressure continues to mount on the beleaguered president, who has not been seen since 25 September, to step down.