Professional transportation organizations warn of the consequences of acts of violence on the main arteries connecting Port-au-Prince and provincial cities.

The members —quoted by the newspaper Le National— made an urgent appeal to government authorities, as for the past four years, no one has been able to leave Port-au-Prince with their car and go to a provincial city without any problems.

This situation has turned the capital into a prison of fear, and instead of improving the situation, it has worsened, as gang members establish toll booths on the roads, further complicating the already precarious situation for drivers.

These gangs earn daily income, easily collected on the highways, drivers complain.

Many people want to leave Haiti, and there is a high demand to leave the capital, where the airport has been closed since November. They then have to travel to another international exit point by road, which is extremely dangerous.

Now, commuters and transporters who must maintain their businesses and bring food home are affected.

ef/mem/joe