Three suspects killed, 17 in custody for Haiti president assassination

Authorities in Haiti said police killed three suspects in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and took 17 others into custody. The video above shows two of those suspects being arrested Thursday. It also includes the United States’ response to the assassination, from State Department Spokesman Ned Price. “Those who seek to accomplish their political goals through violence and by subverting the rule of law will not succeed in thwarting the Haitian people and their desire for a better, for a brighter future,” Price said Wednesday.

Police also freed three officers who were being held hostage. Eight suspects are still at large.

Two of the suspects who were arrested are believed to be Haitian Americans. One of the two is a former bodyguard at the Canadian Embassy in Port au Prince. The other 15 are from Colombia, at least six of which are from its army.

Police have not yet released a motive for the assassination, which also sent First Lady Martine Moïse to the hospital with critical injuries.

Prime Minister Claude Joseph assumed leadership of Haiti with the backing of police and the military. He decreed a two-week state of siege following Moïse’s killing.

The siege comes as the country continues to deal with some of the Western Hemisphere’s highest poverty, violence and political instability.

“There is this void now, and they are scared about what will happen to their loved ones,” Marlene Bastien said. She is the executive director of Family Action Network Movement, a group that helps people in Miami’s Little Haiti community.

Haiti had grown increasingly unstable under Moïse, who had been ruling by decree for more than a year. The country faced violent protests as critics accused him of trying to get more power. Opposition leaders demanded he step down.

According to Haiti’s constitution, the president of Haiti’s Supreme Court should replace Moïse. But the chief justice died in recent days from COVID-19.

Joseph, meanwhile, was supposed to be replaced. Moïse named neurosurgeon Ariel Henry prime minister a day before the assassination.

Henry told The Associated Press he is the prime minister and described the current situation as exceptional and confusing. In another interview with Radio Zenith, Henry said he had no dispute with Joseph.

“I only disagree with the fact that people have taken hasty decisions…when the moment demands a little more serenity and maturity,” Henry said.