Update: Suspected Killers of Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse Shot By Police

By Alyssa Wilson Published: July 7, 2021

Update: Suspected Killers of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse Shot By Police

FILE PHOTO: Haiti's President Jovenel Moise speaks during an interview with Reuters at the National Palace of Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Valerie Baeriswyl/File Photo

By: Alyssa Wilson

Update – 7/7/2021 9:23 p.m. Suspected Killer of President Jovenel Moïse Shot and Killed by Police

Haitian law enforcement said that it’s fatally shot four of the suspected killers of President Jovenel Moïse on Wednesday, with two others arrested, according to the Associated Press.

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The President of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated at his private home on Wednesday, according to the country’s interim prime minister Premier Claude Joseph. The first lady Martine Moïse was also shot in the attack and she is in the hospital.

Prior to the murder, Haiti was growing increasingly unstable under Moïse’s leadership, the Associated Press reported. He ruled for more than two years after the country failed to hold elections. His opposers accused him of seeking to increase his power in ways that included approving a decree that limited the power of a court responsible for auditing government contracts. Leaders who opposed him demanded he step down and end his term in February 2021.

Joseph said some of the attackers spoke Spanish but provided no further information on what happened. “The country’s security situation is under the control of the National Police of Haiti and the Armed Forces of Haiti,” he said.

President Joe Biden released the following statement on the attack: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the attack on First Lady Martine Moïse of Haiti. We condemn this heinous act, and I am sending my sincere wishes for First Lady Moïse’s recovery. The United States offers condolences to the people of Haiti, and we stand ready to assist as we continue to work for a safe and secure Haiti.”

The co-chairs of the House Haiti Caucus said the assassination was “a horrific act and stands as a clarion call for swift and decisive action to bring political stability and peace to a nation in crisis.”

The Embassy of Haiti in the United States released a statement on Twitter saying, “President Moise died in defense of democracy and we have a duty to ensure his legacy is honored.”