Thousands flock to Haiti Carnival, despite unrest

Local bands performed in the parade as revellers watched and danced along in the city's streets.

Port-au-Prince: Thousands of Haitians flocked to the yearly three-day carnival in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, despite weeks of unrest that threatened to cancel the festivities. On the final day of the event, young dancers in colourful outfits danced to catchy drum beats in the streets of Carrefour, one of the capital's districts.

Local bands performed in the parade as revellers watched and danced along in the city's streets.

Every year, Haiti hosts a three-day carnival that takes place across the country.

But this year, officials considered cancelling the event due to violence and unrest.

Yves Penel, on organising committee of the carnival, said it was important to hold the festivities despite the unrest that had plagued the country over the past weeks.

Thousands of people have been protestesting throughout February over the Haiti's skyrocketing inflation and the government's failure to prosecute embezzlement from a multi-billion dollar Venezuelan programme that sent discounted oil to Haiti.

Protesters have also demanded that Presietnt Jovenel Moise resign, which he has so far refused to do.

(With inputs from APTN)