Violent protests flare up in Haiti over fuel price hikes, rampant crime

Demonstrators gather at a road block during protests over rising fuel prices and crime as inflation surged to its highest in a decade, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti September 13, 2022. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Residents of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince sheltered at home on Tuesday as gun fire rung out, road blocks and burning tires were placed along city streets and protesters threw stones in an angry response to expected new fuel price hikes and crime.

The latest demonstrations come as inflation surged to its highest in a decade, chronic gang violence has left much of Haiti's territory beyond government reach, and outbreaks of bloody turf battles between rival gangs have left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.