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Photos: Violent protests in Port-au-Prince over Haiti’s new budget

Violence erupted in Port-au-Prince as members of the public took to the streets of Haiti's capital against tax hikes and financial reforms as part of the 2017-2018 budget. The hikes come at a time of declining foreign aid but lawmakers claim manipulation of public opinion driving these demonstrations.

Updated on: Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM IST

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Protesters brought parts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince to a standstill, setting vehicles alight and damaging local businesses in violent demonstrations against the government’s 2017-18 budget plans. Demonstrators took to the streets, throwing stones at the police, setting tires on fire and blocking some streets at a time when foreign aid is declining. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

Protesters brought parts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince to a standstill, setting vehicles alight and damaging local businesses in violent demonstrations against the government’s 2017-18 budget plans. Demonstrators took to the streets, throwing stones at the police, setting tires on fire and blocking some streets at a time when foreign aid is declining. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

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The Port-au-Prince protest, called by former presidential candidate Jean-Charles Moise (hoisted on the shoulders of supporters here) took many by surprise and represents the biggest outcry against the administration of President Jovenel Moise since he took office earlier this year. Lawmakers last weekend approved an unpopular budget that raises taxes on products including cigarettes, alcohol and passports. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

The Port-au-Prince protest, called by former presidential candidate Jean-Charles Moise (hoisted on the shoulders of supporters here) took many by surprise and represents the biggest outcry against the administration of President Jovenel Moise since he took office earlier this year. Lawmakers last weekend approved an unpopular budget that raises taxes on products including cigarettes, alcohol and passports. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

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Haitian police fire tear gas to disperse protesters during an anti-government demonstration in the centre Port-au-Prince. Protesters took to the streets in separate groups, erecting flaming barricades, blocking traffic, and confronting riot police, who fired tear gas and warning shots in the air. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

Haitian police fire tear gas to disperse protesters during an anti-government demonstration in the centre Port-au-Prince. Protesters took to the streets in separate groups, erecting flaming barricades, blocking traffic, and confronting riot police, who fired tear gas and warning shots in the air. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

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Protesters directed their anger toward senators who voted for the 2017-2018 budget last week, and the deputies who approved it Saturday -- but some expressed grievances based on false information. ‘The revolution has just started. Jovenel Moise will have to retract his taxes or he will have to leave immediately,’ said Jacques Menard, a 31-year-old protester. ‘And this is a warning because the next phase can be very violent.’ (Hector Retamal / AFP)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

Protesters directed their anger toward senators who voted for the 2017-2018 budget last week, and the deputies who approved it Saturday -- but some expressed grievances based on false information. ‘The revolution has just started. Jovenel Moise will have to retract his taxes or he will have to leave immediately,’ said Jacques Menard, a 31-year-old protester. ‘And this is a warning because the next phase can be very violent.’ (Hector Retamal / AFP)

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Demonstrators run for cover as Haitian police fire tear gas to disperse an anti-government protest in the centre of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. ‘To renew your driving license, you must now show a receipt confirming you have paid 10,000 gourdes ($158), no matter if you are a poor taxi driver or a street vendor,’ claimed Jean Claude Reimbold. The National Identity Office, which produces the cards, denied Monday the free document would cost 1,000 gourdes once the new budget comes into effect. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

Demonstrators run for cover as Haitian police fire tear gas to disperse an anti-government protest in the centre of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. ‘To renew your driving license, you must now show a receipt confirming you have paid 10,000 gourdes ($158), no matter if you are a poor taxi driver or a street vendor,’ claimed Jean Claude Reimbold. The National Identity Office, which produces the cards, denied Monday the free document would cost 1,000 gourdes once the new budget comes into effect. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

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Two women and two girls walk past a barricade during a demonstration against the government in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Meanwhile, if providing an income tax certificate is needed for administrative tasks such as renewing a license, a 10,000-gourde payment will only be required from those earning more than 60,000 gourdes a year. Officials hope the move will encourage more Haitians to declare their income. (Andres Martinez Casares / REUTERS)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

Two women and two girls walk past a barricade during a demonstration against the government in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Meanwhile, if providing an income tax certificate is needed for administrative tasks such as renewing a license, a 10,000-gourde payment will only be required from those earning more than 60,000 gourdes a year. Officials hope the move will encourage more Haitians to declare their income. (Andres Martinez Casares / REUTERS)

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Beyond the violent protests, judges and magistrates are also set to strike as they say funds allocated to them are not enough to even cover officials’ salaries. Government officials were not immediately available for comment, but Economy and Finance Minister Jude Alix Patrick Salomon defended the budget. ‘There are people who are blaming many things on the budget that are not true,’ Salomon told reporters shortly after the spending plan was approved. ‘There are people manipulating the public opinion.’ (Andres Martinez Casares / REUTERS)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

Beyond the violent protests, judges and magistrates are also set to strike as they say funds allocated to them are not enough to even cover officials’ salaries. Government officials were not immediately available for comment, but Economy and Finance Minister Jude Alix Patrick Salomon defended the budget. ‘There are people who are blaming many things on the budget that are not true,’ Salomon told reporters shortly after the spending plan was approved. ‘There are people manipulating the public opinion.’ (Andres Martinez Casares / REUTERS)

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A bus with passengers aboard drives over burning tires placed by demonstrators. At the same time, foreign aid to Haiti is slowing. The country is one of the poorest in the Americas and suffered a devastating earthquake in 2010 and the worst of hurricane Matthew last year. ‘If Jovenel Moise is intelligent, he should refrain from publishing the budget, otherwise he will have to face a series of street demonstrations that will further complicate the situation,’ Jean-Charles Moise said on local radio. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

Updated on Sep 14, 2017 11:59 AM

A bus with passengers aboard drives over burning tires placed by demonstrators. At the same time, foreign aid to Haiti is slowing. The country is one of the poorest in the Americas and suffered a devastating earthquake in 2010 and the worst of hurricane Matthew last year. ‘If Jovenel Moise is intelligent, he should refrain from publishing the budget, otherwise he will have to face a series of street demonstrations that will further complicate the situation,’ Jean-Charles Moise said on local radio. (Hector Retamal / AFP)

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