Sunday evening at border customs post of Thomassique (Central Department, 18 km of Hinche), according to preliminary information from the local police, customs officers opened fire on two trucks trying to enter the territory of Haiti avoiding control of their cargo. The two Haitian drivers : Nelson Déribert (53) hit by a bullet in the head died instantly and the other driver, Jean François Pierre, succumbed to his injuries during transport to hospital. Both were family men. Also according to police sources, the two drivers were known to the police for having previously been involved in acts of smuggling.

On Monday, the population under the shock of this news and very angry, took to the streets to protest against the violence of the customs officers, accusing them of being responsible for these two deaths. Barricades of burning tires were erected in the city center, and unidentified individuals set fire to the customs post, causing no casualties among customs officers, who were able to escape before.

Francisco Delacruz, parliamentary candidate for that constituency, criticized the excessive use of firearms by customs agents, against unarmed civilians.

The Unit for Maintaining Order (UDMO) was there in the middle of the day, but not intervene except by their deterrent presence, to avoid confrontation with the population and cause casualties...

According to our latest information warrants were issued against X against those responsible for the deaths of two drivers as well as against individuals involved in the fire at the customs office.

TB/ HaitiLibre