The news of Haiti’s President’s assassination came as a shock when Jovenel Moïse was killed in his private residence on the 7th of July. This happened in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Discussions about the possible killer are making rounds everywhere, but the police have their suspicions on a group of mercenaries, hailing from Colombia.
The President, fifty-three, was shot dead in the Pelerin-5 neighbourhood, in the hills above Port au Prince where he resided. Official police statements put the time of the murder around 01:00 local time on the 7th of July. The heinousness of the crime is reflected by the number of bullet shots on his body. A total of 12 wounds were found, some on the forehead and several marked his torso as well. Moïse passed away on the spot. First Lady, Martine Moïse, was also shot at but miraculously survived.
The mercenaries met with little to no resistance while entering the residence or committing the crime.
The Haitian police, officially in charge of the case, said that a group consisting of 26 Colombians and 2 Haitian Americans were involved in the crime. The group was paraded before the media for the benefit of the people.
A thorough investigation was opened on who hired the killers for the murder. While most of the Colombian convicts identified as former soldiers, the two Haitian Americans had been hired to work as interpreters.
On the 11th of July, the police said that they had a ‘key suspect’ in this case. Police chief Léon Charles alleged that Haitian national Christian Emmanuel Sanon was primarily involved in hiring the killers. The 63-year old doctor resides in Florida.
He had earlier flown to Haiti in a private jet with ‘Political Motives’. Following the murder, he was one of the first people contacted by a suspect. Mr. Sanon was actively engaged in the race of becoming the President, and authorities believe that gives him a motive for being involved with the assassination.
Currently, Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been banned from leaving the country, amidst a hot inquiry. He has also been incriminated with alleged involvement in the crime, and a prosecutor is seeking charges against him. He is also suspected to have had links with one of the key suspects in the killing – Joseph Felix Badio.
The investigation is still underway and the police of the state have been actively trying to solve this crime of national importance. The assassination has shook the very foundation of Haiti, as people are hoping to see the assailants punished quickly.
