Conflicts & War

Port-au-Prince markets remain abuzz at night despite crisis

Port-au-Prince, Jul 18 (EFE).- The streets of Port-au-Prince remain abuzz with activity after sunset despite the state of siege declared by the government after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse earlier this month, which has triggered a crisis in the country.

As night falls, vendors at the market of Pétion-Ville, a suburb of the capital, hustle to make their last sales of the day, swatting away flies hovering around the meat and fish, while others begin putting away their wares.

Stray dogs look for food in the garbage that women have already begun to sweep away and that, later in the night, will serve as fuel for fires.

Some of the shopkeepers remain until the early hours of the morning while others come to set up their stalls with small portable lights, also used to illuminate the street food stalls.

Activity has continued in the midst of the crisis, at least in the safest areas of the Haitian capital, but sellers have noticed that there have been fewer customers since the president was killed, Arienne tells EFE as she makes a fried eggs sandwich for a customer at her stall located in Delmas 60.

On the other side of the street, a police patrol composed of three armed officials keeps watch as the vendors go about their work in order to survive, despite the situation in the country.

However, Moïse’s assassination is not the only reason why public night-time activity has decreased.

A shortage of fuel also keeps many Haitians in their homes, a driver who makes a living with his motorcycle, tells EFE.

Since the president was gunned down on July 7 at his residence in the Pelerin 5 neighborhood of the Haitian capital, people have been trying to get on with their lives.

A state funeral for the assassinated president will be held on Friday in Cap-Haitien, the biggest city in the north of the country and close to the municipality of Trou-du-Nord, where he was born. EFE

mmv/pd

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