Eighteen individuals suspected of involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise have been transferred from Haiti to Florida to face trial in the United States. The suspects, who were flown to Florida in a military aircraft, include 17 Colombian mercenaries and one former Haitian anti-corruption official. US authorities continue efforts to prosecute those accused of involvement in the killing.
Federal prosecutor Jason Reding Quinones announced on social media that the 18 suspects had been “transported in military plane from Haiti to face American justice in the Southern District of Florida”. This development is part of a broader investigation into the assassination, with 30 suspects so far indicted in connection with the killing. Quinones emphasized that efforts to bring defendants before American courts will continue.
Among those taken to the US is Joseph Felix Badio, a former anti-corruption official at Haiti’s Ministry of Justice. The other suspects are Colombian mercenaries, according to Haitian government and police sources. Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was monitoring the transfer of 17 Colombian citizens from Haiti to the US, while stating that it had not been involved in the decision or process that led to the transfer.
The assassination of President Moise occurred on July 7, 2021, when a group of about 20 military-trained Colombian mercenaries shot him dead at his private residence in Port-au-Prince. His security detail did not intervene to protect him. The plot to kill Moise involved individuals and entities operating on US soil, giving American authorities jurisdiction to prosecute.
In May, four men were convicted in a federal court in Miami over charges including conspiracy to kill or kidnap President Moise, conspiracy to provide material support, and violating the US Neutrality Act. They face possible life sentences and were linked to CTU, a Florida-based private security company. Federal prosecutors said they had been drawn into the plot by the prospect of securing lucrative contracts if Moise was removed from power.
The FBI played a significant role in the arrests, with special agent Brett Skiles stating that the agency remains committed to pursuing everyone involved in the plot. “Today's multi-location and international arrests underscore the FBI's continued commitment to bringing all participants in this plot to justice,” Skiles said. Eleven people have already been indicted in US courts in connection with the assassination.
Haiti has descended further into political and security turmoil since Moise's assassination and currently has no president. The country is set to hold its first presidential and legislative elections since 2016 on December 13, alongside a constitutional referendum, if security conditions permit. Gangs are estimated to control about 80% of Port-au-Prince, and a UN-backed armed force supporting Haitian police against the gangs is not expected to be fully staffed by October.
Key points
- 18 suspects transferred to Florida for trial in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.
- The suspects include 17 Colombian mercenaries and one former Haitian anti-corruption official.
- 30 suspects have so far been indicted in connection with the assassination.
