6 killed following argument at Haitian-Dominican border

Six people were killed Saturday at the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic after an argument, authorities said.

Haitian police inspector Harry Deny told The Associated Press that the four customs officers and two civilians died in the town of Malpasse.

He said the incident began when one officer shot a person who tried to cross the border with merchandise without stopping. A group of people then retaliated against the officers and burned them to death as they took refuge at a police station.

No further details were available.

The killings came as Haiti faced a seventh day of protests that have shuttered schools and government offices.

Demonstrators are demanding that President Jovenel Moise resign for not investigating allegations of corruption in the previous government over Petrocaribe, a Venezuelan-subsidized energy program.

Moise said in a brief televised address earlier in the week that people had the right to protest but that he was not stepping down.

“The Haitian people have elected me as president in free and fair elections,” he said.

Moise did not address the allegations of corruption but said he was keeping all victims in his thoughts, especially police officers who were killed. He also appealed for dialogue and said the government would take all necessary measures to ensure people’s safety and restore peace to Haiti.

At least 11 people have died during protests that have spiraled out of control. Police on Friday fired tear gas at a crowd as people threw rocks, tried to loot stores and broke car windows in Port-au-Prince.

Separately, another six people were killed Wednesday when a government car lost control.