Deadly protests as Haiti fuel prices spike

Protests have erupted in Haiti as the government announced a sharp increase in petrol prices, with demonstrators using burning tyres and barricades to block major streets in the capital and the northern city of Cap-Haitien.

At least three people were killed. Journalists saw the body of two protesters who had been fatally shot in the Delmas area of the capital as demonstrators clashed with police. It was unclear who shot the men.

The third death was a security guard for a former political candidate who was stopped at a barricade. The security guard got out of the vehicle and fired a gun in the air to disperse protesters.

An Associated Press journalist saw the crowd seize the man when he ran out of bullets, beat him to death and set his body aflame as the vehicle sped off.

The demonstrations began after the Commerce Ministry and Economic Ministry announced an increase of 38 per cent to 51 per cent for petrol, diesel and kerosene. The increases take effect on Saturday.

Officials agreed to reduce subsidies for fuel in February as part of an assistance package with the International Monetary Fund.

A litre of diesel will cost about $A5.40 and a litre of regular petrol will cost nearly $A6.70 under the new prices, in a country where about 80 per cent of the people earn less than $A3 a day.

Opposition groups said they expected more protests throughout the country on Saturday.