MEXICO CITY, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Fuel price hikes have sparked violent protests in Haiti over the weekend, local media reported on Sunday.
"Demonstrations, violence...2 days of chaos," the online news website Haiti Libre headlined a story, alongside an image of black smoke billowing from what appeared to be burning tires.
Following Friday's fast-spreading news on social networks of price hikes at the gas pump, "people spontaneously took to the streets to release their anger," the report said.
Fires were started in various parts of the capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday, including at the local Coca Cola plant and two police stations, and vehicles were set on fire outside at least two hotels.
The unrest led several airlines to cancel flights.
"Due to the violent situation in Haiti, many airlines -- American Airlines, Air France, Delta, Blue Jet, Copa, Spirit -- decided Saturday to cancel all their flights to Port-au-Prince," the report said.
Several Sunday flights from the capital to Canada were postponed to Monday.
The government announced Saturday it was suspending the steep price hikes, but the protests have continued.
