This archive report was first published on 10 July 2021.
On July 7, 2021, a group of assassins stormed the private residence of President Jovenel Moïse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, killing him and wounding his wife, Martine Moïse. The attack sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving residents and the Haitian diaspora in a state of fear and confusion.
Published on July 10, 2021, as details of the attack began to emerge, it became clear that the assassins had planned a well-coordinated operation, involving 'foreigners' who spoke Spanish.
Investigation Underway ¶
Two Americans, Joseph Vincent and James J. Solages, were among the at least 20 people detained in connection with the assassination. The two men, who are of Haitian descent and residents of Florida, claimed to have worked as translators for the attackers, but denied being present during the killing.
According to Judge Clément Noël, who is involved in the investigation, Vincent and Solages met with other members of the hit squad at a hotel in Port-au-Prince to plan the attack, which they said was plotted over a month. The goal, they claimed, was not to kill the president but to bring him to the national palace.
Power Struggle in Haiti ¶
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the assassination, a power struggle between two competing prime ministers has further fueled tensions. Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph declared a 'state of siege' for 15 days, but it is unclear whether he has the legal authority to do so.
President Moïse had appointed a new prime minister, Ariel Henry, just days before his death, and Henry has claimed that he should be in charge of the government. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Haiti has no functioning Parliament, with only 10 sitting senators out of 30.
International Response ¶
Haitian government officials have requested that the United States provide troops to help protect the country's key infrastructures. However, the US State Department has not confirmed the request, and instead announced that senior FBI and homeland security officials would be dispatched to Port-au-Prince 'as soon as possible'.
