International Desk: Authorities in Haiti have demanded that police have foiled an attempt to kill President Juvenil Moise and to overthrow the government. Such demands were made during the ongoing protests against the president for allegedly violating the constitution. News: BBC.

At least 23 people have been arrested since the coup attempt was foiled, Justice Minister Rockefeller Vincent said. Among them is a top judge and a national police officer.

"I thank the head of security at the palace," Moise said. "The aim of these people was to kill me. Their plan has been aborted."

Moise has faced intense pressure for ruling by decree and failing to curb the rampant kidnappings and gang violence that have terrorized the nation over the pasr months. Haitians have demonstrated against what they call rampant government corruption and unchecked crime by gangs.

Prime Minister Joseph Juthi said the conspirators planned to arrest President Moise and appoint a caretaker president. Leon Charles, director of the country's national police force, said officers seized documents, money and weapons. The documents found contained statements from the top judge. The plan was to make him the interim leader.

Protests are going on against the president for violating the constitution. They also clashed with police in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Moise claims that his term is till 2022. Opposition groups called for a halt to the protests on Sunday.

The dispute over 'when the president's term ends' stems from the statement of the president, as he has said he will serve another year because he was sworn in in 2017 for a five-year term. But the opposition party says the president’s term should have ended Sunday, February 7, the date set by the constitution when elected presidents are sworn into office. The present administration failed to hold elections in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic along with a climate of insecurity.

ngry Haitians have demonstrated against what they call rampant government corruption and unchecked crime by gangs.

The Biden administration accepted the president's claim to power on Friday with an urge for "free and fair legislative elections so that parliament may resume its rightful role."