Assassination of Jovenel Moïse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Assassination of Jovenel Moïse
Jovenel Moïse in 2019
Location	Pèlerin 5, Pétion-Ville, Haiti
Coordinates	18°29′55″N 72°17′51″W / 18.49861°N 72.29750°W / 18.49861; -72.29750
Date	7 July 2021 1:00 a.m. (EDT (UTC−04:00))
Target	Jovenel Moïse
Attack type	Assassination
Deaths	Jovenel Moïse
Non-fatal injuries	Martine Moïse
Assailants	Unknown
Motive	Under investigation
Arrests	6

Jovenel Moïse, the president of Haiti, was assassinated on 7 July 2021 at 1 a.m. EDT (UTC−04:00) at his residence in Port-au-Prince. A group of 28 foreign mercenaries, mostly Colombians, are alleged to be responsible for the killing. First Lady Martine Moïse was also shot multiple times in the attack, and was airlifted to the United States for emergency treatment. Later in the day, USGPN (L'Unité de Sécurité Générale du Palais National, or The General Security Unit of the National Palace, headed by Dimitri Herard) killed three of the suspected assassins and arrested 20 more. A manhunt was launched for other gunmen as well as the masterminds of the attack. US authorities have since arrested six suspects alleged to have conspired in the assassination.

On 2 June 2023, Rodolphe Jaar, one of the prime suspects in the assassination, was sentenced to life in prison by a federal court in Florida.

Background

Election

Jovenel Moïse was the chosen successor to President Michel Martelly, who was constitutionally barred from seeking reelection in the 2015 presidential election. According to official results, Moïse received 33% of ballots cast in the first round, more than any other candidate but short of the majority required to avoid a second run-off election. These results were disputed by second-place finisher Jude Célestin and others, whose supporters protested. The mandated run-off was repeatedly delayed, prompting further violent protests. The 2015 election results were eventually annulled. When incumbent Martelly's term expired, the legislature appointed Jocelerme Privert as interim President before fresh elections in November 2016. In these elections, Moïse received 56% of the official tally, enough to avoid a run-off. Moïse assumed office on 7 February 2017.

Political turmoil

During Moïse's time in office, political unrest and violence were common, including violent anti-government protests. The span of Moïse's term in office was disputed, sparking a constitutional crisis. Presidential terms in Haiti are five years, and Moïse claimed a mandate to govern until February 2022, five years after his taking office. However, opposition figures claimed Moïse's mandate ended in February 2021, five years after the victor of the 2015 presidential election would have been sworn in under normal circumstances. Widespread protests demanded Moïse's resignation, and the opposition named Judge Joseph Mécène Jean-Louis as a proposed interim president in February 2021. Moïse received support from the United States government and the Organization of American States (OAS) to remain in office until 2022. Scheduled legislative elections in October 2019, as well as a referendum for a new constitution, were delayed until September 2021, which resulted in Moïse ruling by decree.

The New York Times revealed that before his death, Moïse had been working to expose the corrupt politicians and businesspeople, by passing on the information to the United States. The most significant among these people was Charles Saint-Rémy, a businessman and brother-in-law of former Haitian President Michel Martelly. Moïse had also been seeking to end the state capture by affluent individuals, including Martelly's family. After the apparent coup attempt was prevented in 2021 by Dimitri Hérard, the head of the presidential guard, Moïse accused Haiti's elite of being behind it and privately started planning to have them exposed.

Aftermath

The White House stated that the American government will send senior officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security to help Haiti with the case. Colombia dispatched the head of its National Intelligence Directorate and the intelligence director of the National Police of Colombia to assist Haiti alongside Interpol.

Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph meanwhile requested the United Nations on 7 July to deploy peacekeeping troops to his country until the situation was stabilised. The country also requested deployment of troops from the United States. A senior American government official however told Reuters news agency that there were currently no plans to deploy American troops to Haiti. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki however stated on 12 July that the request was still under review. President of the United States Joe Biden stated on 15 July that there were no plans to deploy American troops in Haiti.

On 17 July, Martine Moïse returned to Haiti following her release from the hospital.

The funeral for the late President was held on 23 July at his family compound near Cap-Haïtien, amidst a tense atmosphere. Some of the mourners heckled the Haitian officials and politicians, leading to firing of tear gas and gunshots by the police, while foreign diplomats left the funeral earlier. A day before the funeral, protesters had also tried to stop mourners from being able to attend it.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared 7 July as a national holiday for Haiti on the first anniversary of the assassination.

Succession

A 2012 amendment to the Constitution states that the Council of Ministers, under the Presidency of the Prime Minister, exercises the Executive Power until the election of another President. The constitution also stipulates that the National Assembly will elect a provisional president. Complicating matters further, the delay in legislative elections has made the Assembly essentially defunct. Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph condemned the attack and declared a two-week nationwide state of siege later that day.

Shortly before his death, Moïse had selected Ariel Henry to replace Joseph as the prime minister, but Henry did not assume the role before the assassination. Henry declared himself to be the rightful prime minister after Moïse's death. After the United States chose to support Joseph, Henry stated that it had made a mistake. He however has stated that he is avoiding a conflict over the issue, so as to not worsen the situation in the country.

Joseph announced on 8 July 2021 that legislative elections would still be held in September despite the assassination, stating that, "The Head of Government promises to hold talks with opposition leaders and other actors in national life to calm the socio-political climate and facilitate inclusive and credible elections according to the timetable set by the Provisional Electoral Council." Joseph has said that he is in control of the country until the election of a new president, which will take place as scheduled on 26 September.

United Nations' special envoy for Haiti, Helen La Lime, confirmed that interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph will lead Haiti until the election is held later this year, urging all parties to set aside differences following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Eight out of ten sitting members of Haiti's Senate chose the Senate speaker Joseph Lambert as the interim President on 9 July. They also selected Ariel Henry to become the prime minister. A dozen political parties also signed an accord calling for Lambert to be installed as the President by 11 July. Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph however rejected the Senate's decision, stating he did not want a power struggle and the new president should be chosen in the elections.

A group of prominent diplomats called the "Core Group", which is made up of ambassadors to Haiti from Brazil, the European Union, France, Germany, Spain and the United States, in addition to representatives to Haiti from the Organization of American States and the United Nations, urged for creation of "a consensual and inclusive government." It also encouraged Ariel Henry to form a government, a task which had been entrusted to him by the late President, and called on individuals involved in the political, economic and civil society sectors to support the authorities in restoring security.

Joseph told The Washington Post on 19 July that he would be relinquishing his powers as the leader of Haiti and handing the charge to Henry, after having met him privately over the past week. Henry was sworn in on 20 July 2021.

International reactions

International condemnation of the attack included statements from the governments of Argentina, The Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Mexico, Taiwan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Holy See through Pope Francis himself, as well as the Organization of American States and the United Nations Security Council. Suriname declared three days of mourning with flags half mast from 8 to 10 July. Caribbean Community ordered national flags and the CARICOM Standard at half-mast for three days beginning immediately, as well as on the day of the funeral.

On 15 July, President of the United States Joe Biden announced that the United States government would be deploying the United States Marine Corps in order to protect the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. The Department of State appointed Daniel Lewis Foote as a special envoy to Haiti, tasking him to work with local and international officials in order to stabilise Haiti, while also trying to support holding of free and fair elections.

See also

In Spanish: Asesinato de Jovenel Moïse para niños