Me Képler Willy Derose
Saint-Marc, May 5, 2026.- Since last weekend, the city of Saint-Marc has been plunged into a serious crisis marked by violent demonstrations, sabotage and total paralysis of activities. Guest on Magik 9 May 5, 2026, lawyer Képler Willy Dérose denounces an infiltrated and manipulated mobilization, against the background of persistent insecurity in Artibonite.
The situation suddenly degenerated between Saturday and Monday, transforming protest movements into real scenes of chaos. According to Képler Willy Dérose, groups of young people, sometimes minors, armed with machetes, stones and incendiary objects, have invaded the streets, burned public and private buildings, attacked institutions, including a police station, and caused panic throughout the city.
If initially the mobilization reflected a ras-le-bol in the face of growing insecurity in the Artibonite department, it would soon have been recovered by actors with obscure interests. « These are no longer demonstrations, they are acts of destruction. », he said, referring to political manipulation and coordinated actions to destabilize the commune.
The law enforcement response, forced to use tear gas and warning shots, resulted in injuries, including a 14-year-old boy shot. Meanwhile, schools, shops and transport remained closed, plunging Saint-Marc into almost total paralysis.
Already weakened by insecurity and pressure from armed groups in the region, the commune now appears to be a territory under permanent tension. For Képler Willy Dérose, the urgency is clear: restore order, identify those responsible and restore state authority.
It calls for prompt intervention by judicial and police authorities to shed light on such violence and meet the expectations of a population. « tired, taken hostage and seeking security ».
W.A.
