Four years later: Jovenel Moïse assassination still unresolved

Today marks four years since the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was brutally killed in his private residence in Pétion-Ville on July 7, 2021. The attack was carried out by around 20 heavily armed former Colombian soldiers, some of whom spoke English and Spanish. Moïse was shot twelve times and died instantly, while his wife, Martine Moïse, was seriously wounded but survived. She later recounted that the attackers ransacked their room, searched for documents, and checked to see if she was alive before leaving.

The incident exposed major lapses in presidential security. According to Martine Moïse, the house was under-protected, and the assailants pretended to be DEA agents to avoid confrontation. Investigations linked the mercenaries to private security firms, including CTU Security, allegedly connected to Venezuelan opposition figures, and companies operating out of the U.S. Suspected masterminds include Haitian-American doctor Christian Emmanuel Sanon, ex-official Joseph Félix Badio, businessman Ashkard Joseph Pierre, and members of Moïse’s security team. Some of the mercenaries later admitted to receiving payments and said their mission was originally to protect the president.

Despite dozens of arrests, the Haitian justice system has yet to bring anyone to trial. Many suspects, including mercenaries and former officials, remain in custody. The slow judicial progress has led to renewed calls—especially from Martine Moïse and international human rights organizations—for an international court to ensure justice. However, both the former first lady and ex-Prime Minister Claude Joseph have also faced allegations regarding their possible involvement in the crime.