On Wednesday 17 October, as part of the commemoration of the 212th anniversary of the assassination of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, political leaders of the opposition intend to organize demonstrations on the whole territory for various causes like the use of PetroCaribe funds, the cost of living, the minimum wage, the reform of the Constitution, the departure of the President of the Republic, etc...

The Secretary of State for Public Security, Ronsard St-Cyr, claims to have information that suggest that several organized groups, will take advantage of the situation to try to destabilize the country by causing riots as last July... In order to prevent any form of violence during protest movements, 1,500 police officers will be deployed in the metropolitan area and police presence will be strengthened in the rest of the country "All measures are taken to protect the lives and property of the population." Secretary of State St-Cyr says that the agitating groups have already been identified and that justice will be seized of the file for the necessary follow-up. Very familiar with certain bases, St-Cyr promises strong provisions to counter those who want to use violence to demand Justice... "We must stop using social networks against the country [...] if there is any breakage, I will not accept it."

Fanmi Lavalas according to Schiller Louidor, an executive of Fanmi Lavalas says Wednesday will be the big day of accountability. We will go to all those who stole PetroCaribe's money..." but without violence claiming that the operation will continue beyond October 17 "Protesters will remain on the streets until they get justice in the PetroCaribe case."

Me Michel André fierce opponent of the PHTK member of the Democratic and Popular Sector of the radical opposition, said Wednesday "there will be at least 15 meeting points, to demand the arrest of the squanders of Petrocaribe funds and the return of these funds."

Commissioner Michel-Ange Louis-Jeune, the new spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH) has issued a warning to those who are preparing to commit acts of violence during demonstrations, noting that instructions have already been passed to departmental directors and specialized units to accompany protesters to demonstrate under the conditions provided for by law. If someone attacks the property of others, the police will not sit idly by. Strategic settlements, public markets, supermarkets, shopping malls, detention centers and bridges, national roads and highways, and land and sea borders will be secured due to looting and fire threats to infrastructure public and private as part of the demonstrations...

The PNH and the prosecution of the country have been instructed to crack down with the utmost rigor against any author, co-author and accomplice of acts detrimental to life and public or private property.

Marc Georges, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the North, worried about rumors of violent demonstrations circulating on social networks among other things, asks its members to take all necessary measures in view not only to ensure their integrity but also that of their relatives and their businesses. He urges the authorities to ensure that adequate measures are taken to prevent any slippage that may arise from one sector or another.

HL/ S/ TB/ HaitiLibre