U.S. Citizens Urged to Take Shelter as Protests Grip Haiti

Americans in Haiti have been advised to shelter in place amid violent street protests in Port-au-Prince. The U.S. Embassy on Sunday issued a warning urging U.S. citizens to avoid venturing out or even trying to get to the airport unless their flights have already been confirmed. Phone lines and internet connections have also reportedly gone down in some areas, the statement warns. The protests, which erupted over the government’s attempt to raise fuel prices, turned violent over the weekend, with three people killed Friday and four more bodies discovered on Sunday. Looters have also reportedly burned and pillaged shops in the capital. An estimated 120 Americans have been holed up in a local hotel waiting for the protests to calm down; one emergency medical professional told CNN that protestors tried to burn down the hotel and fight past security earlier in the day. After the prime minister announced a “temporary stop” to the rising fuel prices, CNN added, the protests began to calm. Several U.S. citizens reportedly tried to make it to the airport only to encounter roadblocks set up by armed men demanding money. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit have all canceled flights to Haiti.