Several countries have announced the temporary closure of their embassies in Port-au-Prince for security reasons, as demonstrations rock several Haitian cities after the end of government aid on fuel.
The diplomatic headquarters of the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, said in a brief statement Thursday that it was closing its “doors to the public until further notice” due to the “deterioration of the situation safe” in the neighboring country.
“Our telephone lines and our social networks will remain open,” added the Dominican delegation in Port-au-Prince.
The Canadian Embassy also announced its closure from Thursday. That of Mexico indicated on Tuesday that it would remain closed “until further notice”, while the Spanish embassy took similar measures on Wednesday.
The major cities of Haiti are paralyzed by demonstrations in reaction to the lifting of government subsidies on fuel, in a country stricken by extreme poverty. Many roads are blocked, public transport stopped and many shops and businesses closed for fear of looting.
On Sunday, saying the state lacked the funds to continue government subsidies, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that gasoline and other fuel prices would rise sharply.
The prices of diesel and kerosene will almost double, going from around 350 gourdes (2.9 euros) to nearly 670 gourdes (5.5 euros).
“Funding to continue the import of petroleum products amounts to 9 billion gourdes per month, twice as much as the monthly state payroll,” justified the Ministry of Communication on Twitter.
The “receipts recorded at customs” are not enough to pay for the subsidies for petroleum products, he added.
The announcement had triggered the anger of a population already tested by insecurity and poverty, which depends on fuel for transport, but also for electricity or cooking.
The Dominican Embassy has advised its nationals in Haiti to “exercise caution, limit travel and, where possible, pack basic necessities” such as food and medicine.
Relations are tense between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, particularly because of the migration issue.