HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

December 8, 2010. Violence erupts as election results announced in Haiti

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Clashes erupted throughout Port-au-Prince on December 7th after officials announced that government protégé Jude Celestin and former first lady Mirlande Manigat would advance to a second-round runoff in presidential elections. The results have been questioned both in Haiti and internationally, as there has been widespread accusation of fraud and voting irregularities. Supporters of Michel Martelly, who trailed Celestin by about 6,800 votes - or less than 1%, set up flaming barricades near the Petionville restaurant where the tallies were announced and threw rocks at pedestrians. Gunshots were reported nearby and at least one international journalist was robbed during the chaos. Hundreds of masked youths took to the streets, blocking roads and setting fire to small shops. Prior to the announcement, many businesses had closed early in anticipation of rioting. Heavily armed police patrolled the streets, often forcing protesters at gunpoint to dismantle barricades. Additional unrest was reported in Cap-Haitien and Les Cayes.

Runoff elections are currently scheduled for January 16th.