Haiti president alleges coup conspiracy, says 20 arrested

A group of Haitians took to the streets on Sunday to demand that President Jovenel Moïse step down.

Some protesters burned tyres in the streets of Port-au-Prince and clashed with police.

Meanwhile, Moïse announced Sunday that police have arrested more than 20 people he accused of trying to kill him and overthrow his government, including a Supreme Court judge who has the support of opposition leaders demanding that Moïse resign.

Moïse spoke at Haiti's airport in Port-au-Prince, flanked by the country's prime minister and the police chief as he prepared to leave for the southern coastal town of Jacmel for the opening ceremony of its yearly carnival, which is being held amid the pandemic.

"There was an attempt on my life," he said.

Moïse said the alleged plot began Nov. 20 but did not provide further details or any evidence except to say among the people arrested is a judge and an inspector general with the police.

The arrests come on the day that opposition leaders claim Moïse should resign, saying that his term ends on Sunday.

Moïse has repeatedly stated that his five-year term ends in February 2022.

(Image Credit: AP)