U.S. Urging Americans To Shelter In Place Amid Protests In This Caribbean Nation

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Mon. July 9, 2019: The U.S. State Department is urging Americans and embassy personnel in Haiti to “shelter in place” and not to “attempt to travel at this time” as protests against a plan to hike the price of fuel on the island continued.

Haiti Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant called for Haitians to stop burning tires and blocking roads as he temporarily suspended the price increase on Saturday. But the protests continued Sunday as looters pillaged burned and vandalized shops in Haiti’s capital. Cars were bured during looting at a telephone company are seen in the commune of Petion Ville in Port-au-Prince. Shops were ramsacked while groups began erecting new road barricades on the capital’s outskirts.

The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory remained as it urged them to also avoid driving through roadblocks and if they encounter one turn around and get to a safe area.

“Due to continuing demonstrations, roadblocks, and violence across Port-au-Prince and throughout Haiti, U.S. citizens should shelter in place,” the notice said. “Do not travel to the airport unless you confirmed your flight is departing.”

The cancellation of flights stranded church groups and volunteers from a number of U.S. states, including South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

Chapin United Methodist Church in South Carolina posted online that its mission team is safe but stranded.