Haiti: Opposition continues anti-government demonstrations in Port-au-Prince

Thousands of protesters from opposition parties gathered in Port-au-Prince to demonstrate against President Jovenel Moïse.

Moïse and other high-ranking Haitian officials were implicated in the PetroCaribe scandal, which alleges the mismanagement of development aid from 2005 to 2016. These Venezuela-sponsored funds came from oil wealth, with the intention of bolstering social programs.

Haiti has had a long history of corruption, and the opposition is demanding that the government provide more transparency in the political process.

Nationwide protests in late November drew thousands to the streets; 10 demonstrators were killed amid street barricades, fires, gunfire and faceoffs between protesters and counter-protesters.

Opposition protests continued earlier this month on December 9 and 10 in Port-au-Prince.

However, the government has not caved to protesters’ demands before, and, regardless, underlying economic issues remain. If the Moïse administration expands social programs, it could quell some discontent, but this would be difficult in the cash-strapped country. However, despite continued protests, President Moïse will likely maintain his leadership over Haitian politics.