Haiti: Gunshots, tear gas and riots at the funeral of President Jovenel Moise

Moments after the president’s funeral began Jovenel Moses, who was murdered two weeks ago, Haitian police fired tear gas on Friday at the sound of gunfire.

The American delegation, led by the Ambassador of from the United States to the United Nations, Linda thomas greenfield, interrupted his visit shortly after the shooting began around ten, local hour.

“The Haitian people deserve democracy, stability, security and prosperity, and we support them in this time of crisis ”Thomas-Greenfield said on Twitter. “We urge everyone to express themselves peacefully and refrain from all violence ”.

Moments later, the United Nations Special Representative in Haiti, Helen La Lime, hastily left with her entourage.

Before the funeral started, the crowd started screaming “Murderer” when the head of the Haitian National Police, Léon Charles, arrived. They were joined by others who shouted: “Where is Jovenel?”

There were no immediate reports of injuries between protesters or authorities, and there is no indication that funeral guests were in danger.

Smoke entered the compound. Dozens of police and security agents formed protective lines around Haitian officers in the stands.

The funeral resumed after police would quickly surround the area near the tent that housed Moses’ coffin for the ceremony and fire tear gas, clouds of smoke from burning tires could be seen in the distance.

The funeral, charged with emotion and tension, began shortly after the arrival of First Lady Martine Moise. Flanked by bodyguards, the press and crowds shouting “Justice, justice”, Martine Moise took the stage, stopped in front of a portrait of her late husband and then walked around the stage covered with white roses, birds of paradise and carnations.

Protesters in Cap Haitien expressed their anger at the Lots of unanswered questions about the murder, including who planned it and why.

“You lost a battle, butor the war is not over. We must do you justice “said the widow in Haitian Creole, her face almost hidden under a wide-brimmed black hat and her right arm in a sling. being injured in the attack.

Additionally, he said the system was against him, citing powerful business interests seen in the country as a de facto oligarchy, without giving details. “Cry for justice. We don’t want revenge, we want justice, ”he added.

With information from Reuters

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