July 6, 2018

Port-au-Prince, and its surrounding suburbs, are totally blocked.

Burning tires.

Burned out vehicles.

Kinam Hotel under attack.

Businesses attacked.

Mobs breaking car windows and torching service stations.

American embassy has issued a “remain in place” warning.

PNH absent when needed.

Late last night/early this morning there was a police presence. Then, at roughly 0400 hours, the PNH disappeared. Chief Gedeon, Aristide fanatic, and owner of his $1,000,000 retirement home in Coral Springs has abandoned his responsibility to the Nation.

Media reported:

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitians have burned tires, blocked streets and set fire to several buildings in a protest over a government plan to raise gas prices.

Dozens of streets in the capital of Port-au-Prince and the city of Cap Haitian were blocked by burning tires Friday. There were reports of three buildings being set on fire. Officials did not immediately report any deaths or injuries.

The disturbances broke out after the Haitian government announced a plan to raise gas prices Saturday by 38 percent to 51 percent. The price rise is a part of a deal to receive aid from the International Monetary Fund.

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But, there are deeper reasons for the unrest and these can be found in the effort by Jovenel Moise’s opposition, to collapse the government, with the gasoline price rise, as only one factor.

The Private Sector does not want to pay tax.

Certain business people do not want President Moise to increase efforts to collect customs duties, that presently see almost $1,000,000,000 avoided by importers annually.

It is the Little red Hen situation, where no one wants to plant the seed, grow the crop, harvest the wheat, grind the flour, bake the bread.

BUT EVERYONE IS WILLING TO EAT IT!

If we are to receive assistance from the IMF, IDB, USAID and a bunch of other agencies, we must get our financial  house in order.

Unfortunately, without an effective infrastructure, there is little hope for the government’s survival.

And then what?