US arrests 18 suspects in 2021 assassination of Haitian
US officials announce the arrest of 18 people linked to the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, bringing them to Florida for trial.
US authorities have arrested 18 people in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The suspects were transported from Haiti to Florida to stand trial in American courts.
FBI special agent Brett Skiles stated the arrests demonstrate a continued commitment to pursuing all participants. Federal prosecutor Jason Reding Quinones confirmed the transfer via a military aircraft.
"Five years later, we are still bringing defendants before American courts, and we are not finished," Quinones wrote. He noted that 30 suspects have now been indicted overall for the killing.
Trial and Convictions
In May, a federal court in Miami convicted four men on charges related to the plot. The charges included conspiracy to kill or kidnap Moïse and conspiracy to provide material support. They also violated the US Neutrality Act by engaging in an illicit military operation abroad.
All four were linked to CTU, a private security firm based in Florida. Federal prosecutors said they were lured by the prospect of lucrative contracts if Moïse was ousted. The men face possible life sentences.
So far, eleven people have been indicted in US courts, which claim jurisdiction because parts of the plot were hatched on American soil. Five have already received life prison terms.
The 2021 Assassination
Jovenel Moïse was 53 years old when he was killed. He was shot dead at his private residence on July 7, 2021. A hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombian mercenaries carried out the attack. His own security detail did not intervene to protect him.
Haiti's Ongoing Crisis
The nation has descended into deeper chaos since the president's killing. Haiti currently has no president. It is preparing to hold its first presidential and legislative election since 2016, scheduled for December 13. A constitutional referendum is also planned for the same date, but only if security conditions allow.
Gangs control approximately 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Violent crimes including kidnappings for ransom, armed robbery, and carjackings plague the impoverished country.
A UN-backed armed force tasked with helping local police combat gangs will not be fully staffed by October as originally planned. Announced by the UN Security Council last year, the Gang Suppression Force was expected to grow to 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilian staff.
As of July, the force comprised fewer than 1,000 personnel. Contributing nations included Chad, Mongolia, Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Sri Lanka. More recent deployment figures have not been disclosed.
