Haitian police said seven young men were shot and wounded early Monday as they set up a roadblock as part of protests in the southern city of Jacmel.
Marc-André Cadostin, director of the southeast department of the National Police, said two of the men, ages 20 and 25, were transferred in critical condition to the capital, Port-au-Prince. The other five men were being treated at a local hospital, he said.
Cadostin said the men were setting a barricade built across a road on fire when unknown suspects began shooting.
A theater troupe of university students perform as grade school students reciting a lesson on Haiti's constitution and government, during a protest calling for President Jovenel Moïse to resign so that schools can reopen, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. Many schools around the country have now been closed for more than a month as protests block roads and paralyze the economy. The United Nations said in early October that roughly 2 million children were unable to go to school due to the unrest. (AP PhotoRebecca Blackwell)
He said the motive for the shooting was unknown, although tensions have been rising between government supporters and protesters after months of demonstrations seeking to force President Jovenel Moise to leave office.
With more protesters out on Haiti's streets Monday, opponents of the president accuse him of complicity in massive corruption and of mismanaging the economy so badly that fuel is in short supply and many businesses have been forced to close by shortages and demonstrations.
People dance as they march along with a band in Petion-Ville, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. Anger over corruption, inflation and scarcity of basic goods including fuel has led to large demonstrations that began more than a month ago and have shuttered many businesses and schools. (AP PhotoRebecca Blackwell)