Govt faced civil unrest and demands for President Moïse to resign. Unrest continued amid anger over corruption allegations linking Moïse to embezzlement of PetroCaribe (alliance giving Caribbean states access to cheap Venezuelan oil) funds; police and demonstrators clashed in capital Port-au-Prince following 6 July funeral of radio journalist killed in June, protesters setting up roadblocks and setting fire to vehicles and police firing tear gas. As opposition senators blocked ratification of PM Lapin and his cabinet, some in opposition proposed election of new PM, while others reaffirmed they will block any ratification process until Moïse resigns; Moïse 22 July named Fritz-William Michel as new PM, third in 2019. Gang-related violence continued; shootout between rival gangs in Port-au-Prince 6-7 July killed two, while 10 July clashes between different factions in capital’s La Saline neighbourhood killed at least four people. Police 22 July captured high-profile gang leader Arnel Joseph as he sought medical attention in Les Cayes.

Violent anti-govt protests gripped country, while tensions increased over political impasse and alleged corruption. Protesters 9 June demonstrated in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere, demanding President Moïse’s resignation and clashing with police; two people shot dead and further four injured with responsibility for deaths unclear. Demonstrators 10 June began two-day strike in Port-au-Prince and established roadblocks throughout capital; same day, unknown gunmen killed prominent radio journalist who had reported on corruption allegations against Moïse. Protests followed late-May High Court of Auditors final report on PetroCaribe (alliance giving Caribbean states access to cheap Venezuelan oil) scandal, that said Moïse was centre of mass embezzlement scheme of public money; Moïse 12 June denied wrongdoing and refused to leave office, sparking further mass protests 12, 14 and 16 June. Opposition senators continued to block ratification of new PM Lapin’s cabinet for including eight members from heavily-criticised previous cabinet. UN Security Council 24 June approved creation of UN “Integrated Office” supporting political stability and governance to replace UN police force when latter’s mandate ends Oct.

Amid worsening economic situation and continued allegations of corruption, Progressive Opposition Forces (FOP) alliance 6 May announced new campaign to oust President Moïse and establish interim govt which would coordinate national dialogue and appoint new head of state; opposition also critical of new PM Lapin’s cabinet for including six members from heavily-criticised previous cabinet. Gang insecurity remained high with reports of collusion between govt figures and organised crime groups; in Artibonite department (centre), police 13 May arrested 53 members of gang led by Arnel Joseph, reported to have links to numerous state officials including a senator and former PM Céant. Police also alleged two senior officials – former mayor of Port-au-Prince and executive director of Interior Ministry – partly planned Nov 2018 mass killing in La Saline neighbourhood of capital.

Amid political tensions and worsening economic situation, President Moïse confirmed Jean-Michel Lapin as permanent PM 9 April, third PM since Moïse’s election in Feb 2017.  Ayiti an Aksyon party 1 April joined other opposition parties in rejecting Moïse’s invitation to national dialogue, citing Moïse’s indifference to public demands and calling for meaningful change and advances in investigation of embezzled funds from PetroCaribe (alliance giving Caribbean states access to cheap Venezuelan oil) and case of seven mercenaries arrested in Port-au-Prince in Feb, who were reportedly hired by Moïse to secure PetroCaribe funds. Gang-related insecurity remained high: clashes between armed groups in Cité Soleil neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince left some seven dead 30-31 March; police 29 April announced they had killed gang leader alias “Tije”, suspected of killing five people and injuring seven in attack in Port-au-Prince 24 April. Ahead of end of UN security and police reform mission mandate in Oct 2019, UN Under-Sec-Gen for Peace Operations 3 April told UN Security Council that UN trusts national police to manage security without international support.

Political tensions remained high following Feb anti-govt demonstrations and unrest that left some 26 dead, with fears that ongoing calls to topple govt could lead to more violent protests. Opposition grouping Le Secteur Démocratique et Populaire 4 March held funeral in capital Port-au-Prince for four protesters killed during uprisings, leading to fresh protests and clashes with police who fired tear gas; further anti-govt protests 29 March. Amid executive paralysis, rising inflation and continued protests, parliament 18 March removed PM Céant in no-confidence vote; President Moïse 21 March named Jean-Michel Lapin as interim PM. In attempt to placate political tensions, Moïse late Feb announced national dialogue committee with mandate until May 2019, however, parts of opposition rejected initiative; several opposition parties proposed 36-month transition period including creation of constituent assembly to redraw constitution and creation of electoral council to promote electoral reforms and ensure free elections. Gang insecurity continued as violent clashes broke out between armed groups 13 March in La Saline neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, leaving six dead. UN Sec-Gen Guterres 1 March recommended creation of special political mission for Haiti once UN police force’s mandate ends Oct 2019.

Amid worsening economic situation and fuel shortages, violent anti-govt protests gripped country and left some 26 people dead. Opposition 7-17 Feb held mass “Operation Lockdown Haiti” demonstrations in capital Port-au-Prince and other cities, demanding President Moïse’s resignation; protests followed late-Jan court of auditors report alleging that former officials and senior ministers, including Moïse, had mismanaged and embezzled funds from PetroCaribe (alliance giving Caribbean states access to cheap Venezuelan oil). Police threw tear gas at crowds and clashed with demonstrators, while some protesters set fire to vehicles and looted stores; 78 prisoners escaped from jail in Aquin (south) 12 Feb, reportedly during protests in front of adjoining police station. In his first speech addressing protests, Moïse 14 February said he refused to resign and leave country in “hands of armed gangs and drug traffickers”, while PM Céant 16 Feb announced economic measures including cutting privileges for government officials. Gang and drug-trafficking related insecurity continued; police and U.S. drug agency 11 Feb arrested former police commissioner in Port-au-Prince on trafficking charges. Police 17 Feb announced they had arrested group of eight armed men, including five U.S. citizens, on “conspiracy” charges at checkpoint in Port-au-Prince.

At opening of parliament 14 Jan, PM Céant announced parliamentary elections to be held in Oct. President of Senate Joseph Lambert listed set of challenges that need to be resolved before elections, including establishment of a permanent electoral council, and strengthening capacity of national police. Fuel shortages continued with govt overdue on tens of millions of dollars in payments to U.S. energy suppliers; some citizens reportedly without electricity for two weeks following govt rationing. Gang-related insecurity continued; Associated Press 14 Jan reported mass killing in La Saline neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince in Nov 2018 that left some 21 dead was carried out by gangs in police uniform; gang leader and former policeman implicated in Nov attacks Grégory Antoine, alias “Ti Greg”, was assassinated 9 Jan in Carrefour Feuilles area of Port-au-Prince, reportedly by members of rival gang. With Haitians continuing to leave in large numbers and facing deportation risks abroad, court in New York 7-10 Jan heard challenge to U.S. govt decision to end Temporary Protected Status for some 50,000 Haitians in U.S.; decision expected in March.

President Moïse 14 Dec called for truce with opposition following anti-corruption protests and rioting in Nov demanding his resignation. Concerns over security mounted with reports of police struggling to deal with heavily armed gangs, emergence of paramilitary units with alleged ties to govt, and armed groups killing dozens.

Renewed wave of violence as anti-corruption protests gripped country 18-23 Nov and led to declaration of general strike lasting several days, demanding President Moïse’s resignation; at least nine people died during widespread rioting and clashes with police; govt vehicle reportedly knocked down and killed six people 21 Nov. Moïse 21 Nov called for dialogue with opposition, opposition continued to insist on Moïse’s resignation. Govt dismissed eighteen officials since late Oct suspected of involvement with alleged PetroCaribe fraud, called for independent commission to investigate missing funds, however civil society declined to participate citing lack of progress in existing efforts. Haitians continued to leave country en masse while others face deportation from countries including Dominican Republic and Chile.

Tens of thousands of Haitians 17 Oct protested in capital Port-au-Prince against govt corruption including alleged misuse of funds from PetroCaribe (alliance giving Caribbean states access to cheap Venezuelan oil), demanding President Moïse’s resignation; police reportedly opened fire and threw tear gas at crowds, killing one and injuring over a dozen. Moïse 22 Oct fired two govt officials and fifteen advisers reportedly linked to corruption. Protesters also angry at mounting financial crisis, health and human rights concerns, with 6 Oct earthquake that killed eighteen people adding to discontent. National Network for the Defense of Human Rights 1 Oct released report condemning country’s poor human rights record.