It's an increase… that doesn't pass.
Several Haitian cities, including the capital Port-au-Prince, were paralyzed on Wednesday by demonstrations triggered by the government's decision to suspend the rebate on diesel and domestic fuel and to reduce that on gasoline.
The prices of diesel and kerosene will almost double, the gallon (about 4.5 liters) going from about 350 gourdes (or 2.97 euros at the current rate) to nearly 670 gourdes (5.69 euros).
The announcement – justified by a rebate at too high a cost for the State – had triggered the anger of a population already tested by insecurity and poverty, which depends on fuel for transport, but also for electricity or the kitchen.
Haiti 🇭🇹 Haitians are on the streets 🪧 and the revolt is felt in the streets of Port au Prince.#inflation #haitian #protest #Energie
pic.twitter.com/2jFVZD3RwL
— RASEK 🐭 (@rasekrasek) September 14, 2022
The main roads were blocked by barricades, public transport was at a standstill and many businesses or public institutions had kept their doors closed after the attack on certain businesses by protesters.
The protests only intensified on Wednesday, when the government formalized the suspension of subsidies on diesel and household fuel, and the reduction of those on gasoline.
Subsidies that cost too much
“Funding to continue importing petroleum products amounts to 9 billion gourdes per month, twice as much as the monthly state payroll,” the Ministry of Communication justified on Twitter.
The "receipts recorded at customs" are not enough to pay the subsidies for petroleum products, he added.
The total revenue recorded at Customs is not enough to pay the petroleum products subsidy.
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— Communication Haiti (@MCHaiti) September 14, 2022
This summer, a double shortage of petrol and electricity had already brought several provincial towns to a standstill.
Haitian gas pumps regularly run dry, forcing residents to turn to an overpriced black market.