Residents pumped up as petrol blockade ends

Whoops of excitement echoed through the streets of Port-au-Prince yesterday as petrol stations opened across Haiti for the first time in two months after a powerful gang lifted a crippling fuel blockade. ‘‘There’s gas now! There’s gas now!,’’ people yelled as they honked their horns and motorcycles zoomed past as Haiti’s capital slowly returned to its familiar cacophony. Sweat rolled down people’s brows as they pushed their cars and motorcycles to the nearest gas station and lined up next to colorful mini buses emblazoned with messages including ‘‘Thank you Jesus.’’