Political unrest risks foreign military intervention: Haitian minister

Ongoing political unrest in Haiti could spark a foreign military intervention, Haiti's Minister of Information Mario Dupuy warned Tuesday as the country failed to reach a deal on electing its next president.

"If we continue sending signals that we cannot manage our country, they will do it for us," Dupuy said, according to Cuban news agency Prensa Latina.

The presidential runoff scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24 was postponed two days earlier by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), citing at least two attacks on balloting stations.

Tensions were also heightened with the opposition camp accusing the ruling party of manipulating the vote. The latter came out ahead in the first round, while polls showed the opponent had the lead.

Thousands of angry demonstrators took to the streets late Friday and on Saturday to protest the postponement, reportedly vandalizing businesses as security forces held back.

On Monday, according to local daily Haiti Libre, the president of Haiti's Association of Industries (ADIH), George B. Sassine said his group "deplores ... the absence of security forces," and warned violent protests "will have serious consequences on the national economy."

Demonstrations have led cruise ships to cancel stops at Labadee, a private resort located on Haiti's northern coast, where Royal Caribbean Cruises makes regular port calls.

It's not the first time the company has suspended stops there due to political unrest, which has stained the reputation of the impoverished country for years. Endi