PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Apr 10, CMC – The Office of the President of Haiti has described as “a terrorist act” last weekend’s attack on a presidential motorcade returning from the Artibonite department as preparations continue for the launch of the caravan of change scheduled for May 1.

Angry demonstrators are reported to have set up barricades protesting the decision taken by former president Michel Martelly to divide the commune of Arcahaie in two.

President Jovenel Moise, who was sworn into office in February replacing Martelly, was not hurt during the attack on Friday night with The Office of the Presidency congratulating “the specialized units of the National Police of Haiti in charge of the security of the Head of State for their promptness and professionalism”.

The statement also reminded “everyone that the establishment of a democratic society can only be achieved through the principles enacted by the law”.

The police have not confirmed reports that the security detail of President Moise exchanged gunfire with unknown gunmen during the incident, which the statement of the Office of the Presidency described as an “ambush made against the presidential motorcade”.

It further described the incident as that “of a terrorist act.

“These acts against the life of the President of the Republic committed by unidentified individuals, are a serious threat against public peace and State of safety. They will be subject of a thorough and rigorous investigation by the competent authorities with a view to finding their perpetrators and bringing them before the judicial authorities appointed for that purpose,” the statement added.

It said that President Moïse renews to the population his commitment to find a definitive and satisfactory solution to this crisis urged the population not to yield “to the extremists”.