United Nations - Tuesday, April 8, 2008 19:11 - 0 Comments

UN Peace Keepers Shoot At Hungry Mob in Haiti

Crowds of demonstrators in Haiti have tried to storm the presidential palace in the capital Port-au-Prince as protests continue over food prices. The prices of rice, beans and fruit have gone up by 50% in the last year.

The demonstrators outside the presidential palace said the rising cost of living in Haiti meant they were struggling to feed themselves. “We are hungry,” they shouted before attempting to smash open the palace gates with metal bins.

Overwhelmed guards struggled to hold back the crowd until U.N. peacekeepers arrived. UN troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several people are reported to have been injured in the clashes.

Les Cayes
Thousands took to the streets and went on the rampage in the town of Les Cayes, last week, blocking roads, looting shops and shooting at UN peacekeepers. The UN said its personnel had opened fire at some of the armed protesters. Continue…