AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery, File
- Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his private residence early Wednesday, the country’s interim prime minister announced.
- His wife, first lady Martine Moise, was also injured in the attack and was being treated for her injuries.
- The identity of the group of people involved is not known, though some were speaking Spanish, according to the prime minister.
- See more stories on Insider’s business page.
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the attack on First Lady Martine Moïse of Haiti,” Biden said in a statement issued at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.
He added: “We condemn this heinous act, and I am sending my sincere wishes for First Lady Moïse’s recovery. The United States offers condolences to the people of Haiti, and we stand ready to assist as we continue to work for a safe and secure Haiti.”
Video reportedly taken outside Moïse’s home showed a large security response following his assassination
The video, which was first obtained by Journal la Diaspora and posted by the Miami Herald, showed a number of people with guns standing on a dark street following the attack. One person appeared to be laying in the middle of the street.
Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph told The New York Times in an interview that he was in control of the Caribbean nation.
Joseph said Haitian police and military were in control of security in the country.
Source: The New York Times, AP
The news of the assassination creates more uncertainty in Haiti’s turbulent political sphere
Associated Press
Before his assassination Wednesday, Moïse had been ruling in the country for over a year by decree after the country failed to hold an election. An election was expected to occur later this year.
At the time of his death, Haiti was experiencing a surge in gang-related crimes, anti-government protests, and COVID-19 infections, the AP reported.
The streets were mostly quiet Wednesday morning, though some ransacked businesses were reported in one area of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital city, according to the AP.
Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his home early Wednesday, the nation’s interim prime minister announced
Jeanty Junior Augustin/Reuters
Claude Joseph, the interim prime minister of Haiti, announced Wednesday that Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was shot and killed early Wednesday by a group of armed assailants in his home.
“A group of unidentified individuals, some of them speaking Spanish, attacked the private residence of the president of the republic and thus fatally wounded the head of state,” said Claude Joseph, the interim prime minister of Haiti.
Haitian first lady Martine Moise was also injured in the attack and was receiving medical treatment.
Details of who carried out the assassination were not immediately known.
Powered by WPeMatico
