Investigation into President Jovenel Moïse's Assassination Stalls in Haiti

Strategic Insights -

The investigation into the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse has made little progress, with none of the 20 suspects held in the Caribbean country facing trial. Gang violence and a crumbling judicial system have hindered the ongoing probe, which has been marked by tense exchanges between suspects and judges. The suspects include 17 former Colombian soldiers and three Haitian officials, with some of them reportedly envisioning a coup rather than an assassination. The case has also been complicated by the resignation of judges who feared for their lives and the repeated halting of the investigation.

Key Takeaways:

  • None of the 20 suspects held in Haiti have faced trial after being charged in the killing of President Jovenel Moïse.
  • The investigation has been hindered by gang violence and a crumbling judicial system.
  • The suspects include 17 former Colombian soldiers and three Haitian officials, with some of them reportedly envisioning a coup rather than an assassination.
  • The case has been complicated by the resignation of judges who feared for their lives and the repeated halting of the investigation.
  • Defense attorneys have appealed after the court ruled there was sufficient evidence for trial.
  • The hearings were suspended until the government rented a home in Pacot, a neighborhood once considered safe enough for the French embassy.
  • The hearings restarted in May, this time in a private home in Pétion-Ville, a community trying to defend itself from gangs.
  • Ronald Guerrier, a Haitian policeman, testified that he was dazed by a stun grenade and couldn't identify the attackers.
  • Guerrier also claimed that the attackers used a megaphone to claim they were U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.
  • The Colombian suspects have denied involvement in the assassination, but have been subjected to inhumane treatment by authorities.
  • Jheyner Alberto Carmona Flores, a former Colombian soldier, testified that he was beaten and threatened with death after his arrest.
  • The U.S. has charged several suspects with conspiring to kill Moïse, with five already pleading guilty.
  • Five other suspects are awaiting trial in the U.S., including Anthony "Tony" Intriago, owner of Miami-based CTU Security.
  • Moïse's widow, Martinne Moïse, is expected to testify in the U.S. case.
  • Court documents say that the plan was to detain Jovenel Moïse and whisk him away, but changed after the suspects failed to find a plane or sufficient weapons.

Statistics:

  • 20 suspects are being held in Haiti.
  • None of the suspects have faced trial.
  • 17 of the suspects are former Colombian soldiers.
  • 3 of the suspects are Haitian officials.
  • 51 suspects are being investigated for complicity in the assassination.
  • 5 suspects have already pleaded guilty in the U.S. case.
  • 5 other suspects are awaiting trial in the U.S.
  • The investigation has been hindered by gang violence and a crumbling judicial system.
  • The hearings were suspended until the government rented a home in Pacot.
  • The hearings restarted in May, this time in a private home in Pétion-Ville.

Sources:

  • AP, "Investigation into Haiti president's assassination stalls, suspects denied trial" (no date)
  • AP, "Haiti president's assassination probe stalls as judge quits, others flee" (no date)
  • AP, "Key suspect in Haiti president's assassination flees to Brazil" (no date)
  • U.S. Department of Justice, "Five suspected of conspiring to kill Haitian President Jovenel Moïse charged in U.S." (no date)
  • Court documents, "U.S. v. Anthony 'Tony' Intriago et al." (no date)