Haitian crisis (2018–present)

2018–2024 Haitian crisis
2018–2024 Haitian crisis
	Tires set on fire by protesters in Hinche, February 2019
Date	7 July 2018 – present
Location	Haiti
Caused by	Misuse of loans from Venezuela (Petrocaribe) and social inequality; Rising taxes on gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, and poor living conditions; Corruption, impunity, and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti; 2021 phase Authoritarianism, fear of dictatorship, and international support for President Jovenel Moïse; Moïse's bid to extend his term, police officers killing, and alleged assassination–coup d'état attempt; Police brutality, human rights abuses, and violence against protesters;
Goals	Resignation of Moïse, installation of transitional government, and fresh general elections; End of armed gang violence, kidnappings, and killings; End to impunity and corruption in Haiti, and better living conditions; Release of 33 judges and 23 officers arrested after the alleged 2021 coup d'état attempt;
Parties
Protesters	Government of Haiti Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti Kenya; Jamaica; The Bahamas; Guyana; Antigua and Barbuda; Suriname; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Dominica; Grenada; Saint Lucia; Supported by:; United Nations Security Council; United States; Canada
Lead figures
	Jean-Charles Moïse; Schiller Louidor Jovenel Moïse X; Fritz William Michel; Jean-Michel Lapin; Jean-Henry Céant; Jack Guy Lafontant; Ariel Henry
Number
Thousands
Casualties
Death(s)	187 protesters; 44 police officers; 2 journalists

Protests began in cities throughout Haiti on 7 July 2018 in response to increased fuel prices. Over time, these protests evolved into demands for the resignation of Jovenel Moïse, the then-president of Haiti. Led by opposition politician Jean-Charles Moïse (no relation), protesters stated that their goals were to create a transitional government, provide social programs, and prosecute allegedly corrupt officials. Throughout 2019, 2020, and 2021, hundreds of thousands took part in protests calling for the government to resign. On 7 February 2021, supporters of the opposition against the then-incumbent Jovenel Moïse allegedly attempted a coup d'état, leading to 23 arrests, as well as clashes between protestors and police.

On 7 July 2021, Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, allegedly by a group of 28 foreign mercenaries; three of the suspected assassins were killed and 20 arrested, while a manhunt for the other gunmen, as well as for the masterminds of the attack, remains ongoing. On 20 July, Ariel Henry assumed the office of acting prime minister.

In September 2022, further protests erupted in response to rising energy prices, and a federation of gangs created a blockade around Haiti's largest fuel depot. Combined with an outbreak of cholera and widespread acute hunger, the ongoing crisis has led to the United Nations Security Council unanimously voting to impose sanctions on the country.

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