HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

December 9, 2010. Two killed as protesters attack buildings, set up roadblocks, and denounce election results in Haiti

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Two people were killed and 10 others injured during violent protests over the result of Haiti's elections on December 8th. One person was killed when a group of protesters set fire to the Electoral Departmental Office (BED) before police dispersed them in Les Cayes. Hundreds of people blocked streets throughout Port-au-Prince and set fire to the General Direction of Taxes, the Customs Office, the Fiscal Office, the Finance Ministry, and the State Office of Car Insurances. Protests were also reported outside the U.S. Embassy. The headquarters of the ruling Unity coalition was set on fire and masked protesters threw rubble at Brazilian UN troops in from of the elections council in Delmas.

Officials closed airports in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien until further notice while a leading U.S. airline canceled flights in and out of Haiti. Foreign nationals in Haiti are urged to stay indoors if possible and avoid travel, as they are likely encounter roadblocks and violence is likely.

Preliminary results released late on December 7th showed government-back candidate Jude Celestin won enough votes to enter the January 16th runoff election against university provost Mirlande Manigat. The majority of protests were organized by candidate Michel Martelly, who finished third. Martelly backers said ballot boxes were stuffed. Many called for either Celestin to drop out of the race or for the runoff to become a three-way race. Martelly's campaign manager said they were prepared to formally challenge the results.