Carnival In Haiti Cancelled After It Turned To A Bloodbath

Carnival — Haiti’s most awaited celebration of the year — came to an abrupt halt after a violent protest broke out on the streets on Sunday. Residents who took to the streets in Port-au-Prince to usher in the festivity were soon seen running for cover as gunshots were fired, leaving at least one person dead.

The United Nations office in Haiti expressed its concern over the sad state of affairs that broke out over the weekend. Subsequently, a statement was released by the Armed Forces, confirming the same: “Despite the repeated assaults of the attackers, the military authorities maintain a defensive posture to avoid a bloodbath. The High Command of the Armed Forces once again calls on the National Police of Haiti to restore calm.”

The protests, which led to the sudden cancellation of the three-day celebrations, are being linked to an underlying—the country’s National Police resorted to the extreme move after their demands for better pay and working conditions fell on deaf ears.

Despite the police protests not being directly linked to the recent anti-government protests, officials believe that the animosity between the Haitian police and the army in Port au Prince had added to the general unrest in the country. Haiti’s Armed Forces maintained that protesters from the police force had attacked the headquarters, inflicting serious injuries on two soldiers and killing one.

The gnawing video footage of the protests, which took place over the weekend, sees residents ducking for cover as a volley of armed men with guns run around, burning down the city and the ongoing festivities.

Aside from bringing the celebrations to a sudden stop; the protests interrupted the regular functioning of the city. Main roads through the city of Port au Prince have been blocked since Sunday.

The officials at Haiti’s communication ministry have sent out a formal statement to the common masses, requesting them to remain calm. Attempts were made to bring the situation under control by calling off the celebrations. Further probe is underway and so are the announcements. The Capital seems to be wading through tough times as millions battle hunger owing to the spiraling economic and political crisis.