Haitians protest against rising prices

From: Workers Struggles: The Americas

 

Five people have been killed by security forces and another nine have been wounded as Haitians continued protests last week against rising food prices. More than 80 percent of Haitians live on US$2.00 (1.26 euros) a day or less.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets demanding an end to high prices, corruption, government ineptitude and the presence of foreign troops.

On April 8, protesters attempting to reach the Presidential Palace in Port Au Prince clashed with UN troops. In Port Au Prince, on April 9, police and UN troops were unable to control rioting as people broke into stores and warehouses.

Demonstrators have denounced the government of Rene Preval for destroying the nation's agriculture with liberal free market policies and for standing by while the vast majority of the nation's inhabitants depend on imports from the Dominican Republic.

On Saturday, Preval announced that the government would reduce the price of rice from US$51 to US$43 for a 50-pound bag.