The principal fuel terminal in Haiti resumed operations a week after a severe wave of gang violence forced it to close.
The Varreux terminal is located in the rundown Cité Soleil neighborhood, where two rival gangs fought, and its closure had caused gasoline shortages.
Thursday evening, the terminal operator tweeted that a tanker carrying 45,000 barrels of imported fuel had arrived.
Since the previous week, 89 people have been killed in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Cité Soleil.
Hundreds of protesters have been burning tyres and blocking roads in recent days, demanding immediate action to restore the supply of gasoline.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Mose by mercenaries a year ago, gang violence has skyrocketed.
According to Jol Janéus, the mayor of Cité Soleil, two criminal alliances are known as G9 and G-Pèp are competing for control of the area.
Gabrielle Paul, a local human rights activist, told that conditions in Cité Soleil were “very difficult” because thousands of residents who relied on trucks to deliver food and water had been completely cut off by the violence.
She added, “People are being killed and injured, and the injured cannot receive proper care.”
The decision to alleviate fuel shortages comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote on extending its political mission in Haiti, just hours before its mandate expires.
China has requested that the Security Council prohibit the sale of small arms to Haiti and endorse the deployment of a regional police force. In addition, it seeks sanctions against gang leaders.
However, the proposed resolution by the United States and Mexico does not include an arms embargo, which other member states consider unenforceable.
According to the proposed text, the United Nations would urge all nations to halt the transfer of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition to anyone who supports gang violence and criminal activity in Haiti.
It would also declare its willingness to impose sanctions against individuals, including travel bans and asset freezes, “as necessary.”
