More than a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise, US officials say, more than five years after he was shot dead at his private residence.
Key facts
- Eighteen people have been arrested in association with the assassination, according to US officials.
- Jovenel Moise, 53, was shot dead on 7 July 2021 at his private residence.
- The killing was carried out by a hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombian mercenaries.
- Moise's security detail did not intervene to protect him.
- The assassination sparked chaos in Haiti.
Eighteen people have been arrested in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise, according to US officials cited by the Guardian. The arrests come more than five years after the killing, which plunged Haiti into deep political turmoil.
Moise, who was 53, was shot dead on 7 July 2021 at his private residence. According to the Guardian, the attack was carried out by a hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombian mercenaries.
The report notes that Moise’s security detail did not intervene to protect him during the assault, a detail that has fuelled scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his death.
The killing sparked chaos in Haiti, a country that has since struggled with instability. The latest arrests represent a significant development in the long-running effort to hold those responsible to account.
US officials are the source for the figure of 18 people arrested, according to the Guardian. Further details about the identities of those detained and the charges they may face were not specified in the available reporting.
Why it matters
The assassination of a sitting head of state remains one of the most consequential events in Haiti's recent history, contributing to years of political instability. The arrests mark a notable step in the pursuit of accountability for a crime that reshaped the country.
Frequently asked questions
When was Jovenel Moise killed?
Moise, 53, was shot dead on 7 July 2021 at his private residence, according to the Guardian.
How many people have been arrested?
US officials say 18 people have been arrested in association with the assassination, according to the Guardian.
Who carried out the killing?
The Guardian reports that Moise was killed by a hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombian mercenaries, and that his security detail did not intervene.