U.S. Embassy Staff Sheltering in Place as Violent Protests Grip Haitian Capital

The story

Violent protests and a general strike in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince over fuel-price hikes have prompted U.S. diplomatic staff to shelter in place and request more security personnel.

The State Department ordered its staff to take shelter, and also issued a travel advisory urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Haiti.

The Trump administration granted the embassy’s request for additional U.S. Marines to reinforce security for its personnel.

The source

The protests began on Friday after the Haitian government increased fuel prices by as much as 50 percent. This meant an increase of more than $1 per gallon in a country where the majority of people subsist on around $2 a day.

The International Monetary Fund endorsed the price hikes as part of a plan to modernize the Haitian economy. The Haitian government has since suspended the price increases until further notice, but the unrest persists.

Protestors are calling for Haiti’s president to step down.

Possible fallout

As a general strike continues, Haitians are starting to run out of food and water. Some observers project that the situation could trigger a wave of Haitian refugees to seek safety in the U.S.

What do you think?

What – if any – action should the U.S. take to calm the crisis in Haiti? How should the U.S. handle any asylum seekers who might emerge from the situation? Hit Take Action to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / vichinterlang)