Petrocaribe corruption scandal stoking tension in Haiti
844 views · Published 21 October 2018 · 2:19 · Indexed 28 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(16 Oct 2018) Tensions are running high in Port-au-Prince Tuesday, one day before a protest march is called in reaction to a burgeoning Petrocaribe corruption scandal that embroils members of Haiti's government. Shops and businesses closed and shuttered their windows and doors after a police chief was wounded by gunfire as he removed street barricades set up by angry residents. Haitians are demanding an investigation into the alleged diversion of 3.8 billion US dollars of funds from a Venezuelan oil agreement with Haiti and other Caribbean countries. Petrocaribe was launched in June, 2005 as a Caribbean oil alliance with Venezuela giving members preferential treatment for energy purchase, at a discounted price with low-interest deferred terms and an option to pay in kind instead of currency. Several audits have shown that much of Haiti's Petrocaribe revenue disappeared, having been disbursed for government construction contracts on projects that were never finished. The scandal forced the resignation of Prime Minister, Jack Guy Lafontant. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/1110dbd94bcfcbd3e394094ab80ec0ab
