Haiti: Violence erupts as the country prepares for the funeral of its assassinated president
Hundreds of workers have fled businesses in northern Haiti after demonstrations near assassinated President Jovenel Moise's place of birth grew violent ahead of his funeral.
Associated Press journalists observed the body of one man who witnesses said was shot in the community of Quartier-Morin, which is near Trou-du-Nord, where Moise was born.
Roadblocks were set up between the two communities, temporarily barring cars from entering or leaving as two plumes of thick, black smoke rose nearby.
Many workers walked hurriedly in a single file along the main road that connects Quartier-Morin with Cap-Haitien, the city where events to honour Moise was scheduled to start Thursday ahead of Friday’s funeral.
Fleeing people said they saw burning tires and men with weapons demanding justice for Moise. One woman, out of breath, said the armed men told her, “Go! Go! Go!” as employees clad in uniforms of all colours obeyed and left the area.
She declined to give her name, saying she feared for her life.
Abel Pierre, who works at the Caracol Industrial Park, said he was forced to walk 45 minutes home because the bus that transports employees were stuck behind blockades. He declined further comment as he walked swiftly toward his house as the sky began to darken.
These were the first violent demonstrations since Moise was shot to death at his private home. They came a day after Ariel Henry was sworn in as the country's new prime minister, pledging to form a provisional consensus government and to restore order and security.
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