Three Haitian Americans and one Colombian national have been charged in connection to the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. According to the New York Times, the men will face trial in the US. And have been accused of “conspiracy to murder the Haitian leader and seize power,” along with three prior suspects.
Breaking News: Four men have been charged in the U.S. with involvement in the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti. https://t.co/8hyS6URTXg
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 1, 2023
More About The New Suspects Charged In Connection To The Haitian President’s Assassination
According to the outlet, the four men are considered to be “ringleaders” in the “assassination plot.” James Solages and Joseph Vincent are reportedly dual Haitian American citizens. And Germán Alejandro Rivera García, the Colombian national, is accused of “leading a group of mercenaries operating in Haiti.” All three men have been charged with “conspiracy in the murder of Mr. Moïse.”
The fourth suspect is named Dr. Christian Emmanuel Sanon. He is another dual Haitian American citizen. And has been charged with “counts related to smuggling.”
If convicted, Solages, Vincent, and Rivera Garcia face serving a life sentence in prison. While Dr. Sanon may face serving up to twenty years.
The New Suspects Will Face Trial Along With 3 Others
The new suspects are to face trial alongside three existing suspects. The suspects include a government informant and Haitian businessman named Rodolphe Jaar; a former Colombian soldier named Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios; and a former senator of Haiti, John Joël Joseph.
A lawyer named Ken Swartz, who represents Vincent, shared a statement with the outlet.
The charges are serious and we want to know what evidence that the government has.
According to the outlet, all men are “set for arraignment” on February 15. And will reportedly “enter pleas.”
NEW: 4 men have been charged in connection with the assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse
He was shot dead in his home in 2021. His murder plunged the country into chaos
More on @BBCWorld with @RichPreston pic.twitter.com/Bh06IyqWvz
— Sofia Bettiza (@SofiaBettiza) February 1, 2023
More About The Assassination Of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse
It’s reported that the plot against President Jovenel Moïse “evolved over time.” The men initially intended to “kidnap the Haitian president and escape the country via airplane.” But the intentions grew to murder.
As reported by REVOLT, the group allegedly had “guns, tear gas, grenades, bulletproof vests” transported from Florida to Haiti. The weapons were then used by 20 Colombian mercenaries “who were recruited to assist in the operation and provide security to Sanon.”
By July 6, 2021, Mr. Solages “announced to Mr. Vincent, Mr. García, and other conspirators that they would kill Mr. Moïse.” According to the New York Times, an unnamed former Haitian Supreme Court judge agreed to sign a document that “claimed to provide immunity in Haiti to those who participated in the operation.”
On July 7, 2021, the group stormed Mr. Moïse’s residence. And fatally shot the president nearly 12 times, also wounding his wife.
Roommates, as previously reported Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was recently assassinated via gunfire in his home. His wife and First Lady Martine Moise was shot during the violent attack. On Wednesday, she shared a message of gratitude and first photo since the attack. pic.twitter.com/Oj7Dw47RNo
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) July 15, 2021
The country has reportedly been thrown into deeper disarray since President Moïse’s assassination.
The Department of Justice charged three Haitian Americans and one Colombian in relation to the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The men appeared in court in Miami today.
What does the future hold for Haiti?
Learn more: https://t.co/g5LC3jNb6Z pic.twitter.com/Pq8QJFNt64
— Council on Foreign Relations (@CFR_org) February 2, 2023
