Suspects in Haitian President’s Assassination Await Extradition to U.S.

Eighteen suspects arrested in connection with the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse are set for extradition to the United States. This development concludes a lengthy judicial process in Haiti that followed the shocking event. These individuals will face trial in Florida.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Reding Quiñones, stated, “Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.” He emphasized the continuous efforts to identify and prosecute those involved in planning or supporting the assassination, both domestically and internationally.

The identities of the suspects remain undisclosed. However, over a dozen Colombian soldiers and a former Haitian government official are among those in custody. On January 27, 2025, Colombian men accused of involvement appeared in handcuffs at the Court of Appeals in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Quiñones highlighted that 30 people have been indicted in the murder. FBI Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles reported multiple arrests in the U.S. and abroad, underscoring the commitment to ensuring all involved face justice.

The extradition occurs amidst ongoing prosecutions in the U.S. related to the case. A jury in Florida convicted four men in May: Arcángel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages. Prosecutors accused them of masterminding the plot to assassinate the Haitian leader. A jury found them guilty of conspiracy to commit the crime and providing material support.

Martine Moïse, the former first lady, was injured during the attack. She provided emotional testimony in Miami federal court, directly accusing former Haitian President Michel Martelly and former Prime Minister Ariel Henry of links to her husband’s murder. In 2024, a Haitian judge charged her with complicity, a move her attorney criticized as unjust.