Thousands of protesters in Haiti demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse have clashed with police as some tried to storm barriers at the National Palace and others took shelter while heavy gunfire echoed in nearby streets.

Thursday's protest comes a day after Moïse broke his silence and said he would not resign. He rejected allegations that he and other politicians misused funds from subsidized oil shipments from Venezuela under the Petrocaribe program. Moïse urged people to stay calm during his brief speech Wednesday.

The latest protest follows a strike on Monday and Tuesday that shuttered schools, businesses and government offices, shut down public transportation and caused a Parliament session to be suspended.

Another protest is planned for Friday.