2018–2023 Haitian crisis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2018–2023 Haitian crisis |
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Tires set on fire by protests in Hinche, February 2019
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| Date | 7 July 2018 – present | ||
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2021 phase
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| Death(s) | 187 protesters 44 police officers 2 journalists |
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Since July 2018, Haiti has faced a difficult period of protests and unrest. This started when fuel prices went up. Over time, these protests grew into demands for the president at the time, Jovenel Moïse, to step down.
Protesters, led by politician Jean-Charles Moïse, wanted a new temporary government. They also asked for social programs and for officials accused of corruption to be investigated. Hundreds of thousands of people joined these protests between 2019 and 2021.
On July 7, 2021, President Jovenel Moïse was killed. This event led to many arrests and a search for those responsible. Later that month, Ariel Henry became the acting prime minister. In September 2022, more protests started because energy prices were rising. A group of gangs also blocked Haiti's main fuel storage area. This, along with a cholera outbreak and severe hunger, led the United Nations Security Council to put sanctions on Haiti.
Contents
Why the Crisis Started
The problems in Haiti began with several issues. One major cause was how money from Venezuela was used. This money came from a program called Petrocaribe. A government report in 2017 found that a lot of this money was misused between 2008 and 2016.
Another reason for the protests was a disagreement over President Moïse's term. Protesters believed his time as president ended on February 7, 2021. However, Moïse said his term lasted until 2022, based on the constitution. People were also worried about a new plan for the constitution. This plan would let the president run for office more than once.
Many young people led these protests. They were upset about high fuel prices, a lack of jobs, and poor healthcare. They also focused on government corruption and President Moïse.
Key Events in the Crisis
Protests in 2018
In March 2018, Venezuela stopped sending oil to Haiti. This caused a shortage of fuel. In July, the government removed its help for fuel prices. This made kerosene prices go up by more than 50 percent. Other fuel prices also rose sharply.
These price increases led to protests across Haiti on July 7, 2018. Flights to and from Haiti were canceled. The government then stopped the tax increases. President Moïse accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant. He was replaced by Jean-Henry Céant a month later.
In August 2018, a man named Gilbert Mirambeau Jr. shared a photo online. He held a sign asking, "Where did the PetroCaribe money go?" This question became very popular on social media. Anger over the corruption investigation grew. Protests became violent in October and November 2018. Ten people died in November.
Protests in 2019
February 2019: Early Protests
Big protests started again in February 2019. This happened after a report about the Petrocaribe investigation was released. Economic problems and the rising cost of living also made people angry.
On February 7, protesters damaged expensive cars. The next day, city leaders canceled pre-Haitian Carnival events. Protesters threw stones at President Moïse's home. On February 12, protesters burned a market and looted stores. They also helped prisoners escape from a jail in Aquin.
During a funeral on February 22, police used tear gas on a crowd. The crowd was carrying the coffin of a man killed in earlier protests.
March 2019: Government Changes
On March 18, 2019, the government of Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant was removed. President Moïse replaced him with Jean-Michel Lapin. However, this change was not approved by the Haitian Parliament for a long time. Because of this, Haiti could not get hundreds of millions in international aid.
June 2019: Journalist Killed
On June 10, journalist Rospide Petion was shot and killed. He was on his way home after criticizing the government on the radio.
October 2019: More Protests and Deaths
On October 4, thousands protested across Haiti. In Port-au-Prince, the mayor joined calls for President Moïse to resign. On October 11, another radio journalist, Néhémie Joseph, was found dead. He had also criticized the government.
On October 22, thousands of Catholics protested in the capital. A church leader asked Haitian leaders to listen to the people, saying they "cannot go on any longer." Energy problems and blocked roads hurt tourism. Many hotels closed. On October 27, two people died in protests in Port-au-Prince. Police officers also protested for better pay.
Legislative elections were supposed to happen in October but did not. The United Nations reported 42 deaths and 86 injuries since mid-September.
November 2019: Country Lockdown
The situation in November 2019 was called "Peyi lok," meaning "country lockdown." Schools, courts, businesses, and public services were mostly shut down for two and a half months.
December 2019: Schools Reopen
Schools started to reopen in December, even though parents and school leaders were still worried about violence.
A U.S. official, David Hale, visited Haiti in December. He met with the government and opposition leaders. Some opposition groups refused to work with President Moïse. The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee also held hearings on the situation in Haiti.
Protests in 2020
More protests happened in September and October 2020. People criticized the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti. They said the government did not help those who lost jobs because of the virus.
Police officers also protested for better pay. They even exchanged gunfire with soldiers outside the National Palace. A United Nations report in early 2020 said the Haitian police were corrupt.
Protests in 2021
January 2021: Continued Protests
On January 14, hundreds protested against President Moïse in several cities. Most protests were peaceful, but some violence occurred. On January 20, more protests happened. A woman was shot by Rubber bullets, and others were hurt. On January 28, journalists, lawmakers, and police officers protested against human rights abuses and police brutality.
February 2021: Coup Attempt and Clashes
On February 7, 2021, some people supporting the opposition tried to overthrow President Moïse. Moïse ordered the arrest of 23 people. On February 9, hundreds marched in Port-au-Prince, demanding Moïse resign. Police used tear gas and fired shots to break up the protests.
Clashes continued on February 8-9. Protesters threw stones, and police fired tear gas. Protesters believed Moïse's term ended on February 7, but he disagreed. On February 10, police again used tear gas. Twenty-three people were arrested, and two journalists were hurt.
On February 15, tens of thousands protested in Port-au-Prince. They accused the government of trying to create a new dictatorship. They also criticized international support for President Moïse.
On February 21, large protests happened in Jacmel and Port-au-Prince. Protesters fought with security forces. On February 25, at least 25 people died during a prison break. A gang leader escaped but was later found and killed. On February 28, protesters threw stones at police despite strong action against them.
March 2021: Peaceful and Violent Protests
Thousands of Haitians protested peacefully in Port-au-Prince on March 7 and 9. Doctors and lawyers with disabilities joined. They asked President Moïse and Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe to resign. They also called for action against kidnappers.
On March 15, protests happened across Haiti. People were upset about the killing of four police officers. They demanded the government resign and stop gang violence. On March 17, thousands protested against kidnappings and President Moïse. Many police officers also protested corruption and arrests.
Thousands of people in the capital protested against the UN representative in Haiti. They said he was downplaying the size of the protests. On March 1, a large pro-democracy protest was peaceful. Protesters demanded respect for the constitution. They also yelled "Down with dictatorship" as some burned tires.
April 2021: Women's Protests
On April 3, thousands of women protested in Port-au-Prince. They spoke out against a rise in kidnappings. They asked President Moïse to investigate violence against women. On April 15, private businesses stopped work across the country to protest Haiti's security problems.
On April 7 and 22, protesters circled the national palace. Police used tear gas. On April 22, nuns also clashed with police.
July 2021: President Moïse Assassinated
On July 7, 2021, President Moïse was killed. It was said to be done by a group of 28 foreign mercenaries. Three suspected killers were killed, and 20 were arrested. A search for others involved is still ongoing. On July 20, Ariel Henry became the prime minister.
Crisis in 2022 and 2023
2022: Fuel Prices and Blockades
In September 2022, protests started again because of rising energy prices and the cost of living. These protests continued even after a blockade on the main fuel terminal was lifted.
2023: Ongoing Challenges
In 2023, the situation in Haiti continued to worsen. The last elected officials left office, leaving Haiti without a chosen government. Gangs killed several police officers. This led police to protest at Prime Minister Ariel Henry's home. Canada announced it would start surveillance flights over Haiti to monitor the situation.
Battles between gangs in early March led to 208 deaths. Kidnappings increased by 72% compared to the previous year. People with money, like doctors and lawyers, were kidnapped for ransom. Many victims were killed if their families could not pay. Many wealthy people have left the country. Violence continued in April, with three police officers killed in an ambush. Thirteen gang members were burned alive by a crowd while being moved.
What People Did
Moïse Government's Response
President Moïse asked his opponents to talk peacefully. He said Haiti's problems were not just political but also social and economic. The national police said that "bad individuals" were interrupting peaceful protests.
Opposition's Actions
The opposition was led by Jean-Charles Moïse. They refused to talk with the government. They demanded Moïse's resignation. They also organized a nationwide strike to try and force him to leave office. They called for a temporary government to replace Moïse.
Arrest of Foreigners
On February 18, 2019, a Haitian citizen and seven non-Haitians were arrested in Port-au-Prince. They had rifles, pistols, drones, and satellite phones in their car. Five of them were Americans. Reports said the group included former Navy SEALs and a former Blackwater employee. They were supposedly protecting someone who wanted to move a large amount of money from a PetroCaribe bank account.
Images for kids
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U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft and President Jovenel Moïse met in November 2019 to discuss Haiti's political crisis.
See also
In Spanish: Crisis política en Haití de 2019-2023 para niños
- Anti-Duvalier protest movement
