Electricity rationing and blackouts at the Lascahobas commune (Center dept) for several months pushed the population to take the streets at the beginning of the week, demanding electricity 24 hours a day, lauching hostile remarks against the government, which does not keep its promises, erecting several barricades of burning tires and paralyzing traffic.

Police from the West Departmental Unit (UDMO) intervened to disperse the crowd and unblock the main road by throwing tear gas. Furious, several individuals threw stones and shards of bottles on the police. According to testimony, the police then fired live ammunition at demonstrators. A young man identified as Markenson Timettem (20 years old) was fatally shot and dead on the spot. Several other people were injured and transported to Zanmi Lasante Hospital. In addition, the offices of EdH, Senator Wilfrid Gelin, and the town hall were attacked with stones and suffered various damages.

Presclair Jean, Deputy Mayor of the commune, said one of the seriously wounded protesters had not survived and died on arrival at the hospital. He criticized the behavior of the UDMO agents who fired on the population to gain control of the situation. Bilan 2 dead and 5 wounded including an agent of the Departmental Unit of the West (UDMO)

Wednesday, the tension remained high, the population has taken the concrete again and threatens to intensify its demands not only to claim justice for the victims, but also to continue to demand the electricity that the Haitian state keeps their promise without result so far.

TB/ HaitiLibre