Congressman gunned down as political violence continues to flare in Haiti
A Haitian congressman has been shot and killed in an attack on his vehicle in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, amid a surge in political violence in the country.
The attack on Sunday evening came just days after a prominent journalist was murdered in the city, and as tensions mount ahead of next year’s presidential election in Haiti.
The slain congressman, Hermal Charles, was a member of the Phares Politik Pezi (PSP) party and was a vocal critic of the current Haitian government.
According to eyewitnesses, Charles was driving in his vehicle when gunshots rang out, with multiple bullets striking him. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The motives behind the attack are still unclear, but it is the latest in a string of violent incidents in Haiti in recent weeks. On Wednesday, renowned journalist and human rights activist, Jean Dominique, was shot and killed in Port-au-Prince.
The country’s political tensions are high ahead of the 2022 presidential election, with various factions vying for power. The current president, Jovenel Moïse, has faced widespread protests and allegations of corruption, and his critics have accused him of attempting to manipulate the electoral process.
The organization has called on the Haitian authorities to investigate the killing of Charles and to ensure the safety of all politicians and journalists in the country.