Violence erupts at Haitian president’s funeral

Gunshots and shouts overpowered prayers and church music at the funeral of assassinated President Jovenel Moïse on Friday in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. As the ceremony started, police clashed with protesters shouting for justice. Authorities released tear gas, and the U.S. delegation in attendance left after 15 minutes. The White House confirmed all members, including the ambassador to the United Nations, departed uninjured and are returning home. A UN representative also left the ceremony.

What are they protesting? Many demonstrators arrived at the ceremony wearing white T-shirts printed with Moïse’s picture. They said the president should not be buried before an investigation uncovers who was responsible for the assassination. They booed at the police chief, accusing him of contributing to the president’s death. Citizens frequently yelled against what they called the elites, mostly centered in Port-au-Prince where Moïse was murdered on July 7, conspiring to overtake the government. Authorities have arrested at least 26 suspects connected to the murder, 18 of whom are former Colombian soldiers.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s report of increasing violence in Haiti on The World and Everything in It.