Full Breakdown
Trial Begins for Assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse
3/11/2026, 12:23:39 AM
Overview of the Assassination Plot
The trial of five men accused of conspiring to assassinate Jovenel Moïse, Haiti's last elected president, commenced in Miami, Florida, nearly three years after his murder on July 7, 2021. Moïse was shot multiple times in his residence by a group of attackers, which included former Colombian soldiers. The assassination has had significant repercussions, plunging Haiti into chaos and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis as armed gangs took control of large areas of the capital.
Key Defendants and Charges
The defendants in the Miami trial—Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, Christian Sanon, and James Solages—are charged with conspiring to kidnap or kill Moïse. They face multiple charges and could receive life sentences if convicted. All five have pleaded not guilty. The trial was initially set for the previous year but was postponed due to discovery issues and the extensive evidence involved.
Background of the Conspiracy
Court documents reveal that South Florida was a central hub for planning and financing the assassination plot. Ortiz and Intriago were identified as leaders of Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Counter Terrorist Unit Security (CTU), while Veintemilla was associated with Worldwide Capital Lending Group. The conspirators initially promoted Sanon, a dual Haitian-American citizen, as a potential successor to Moïse but later shifted their support to Wendelle Coq Thélot, a former Haitian Supreme Court judge.
Impact of the Assassination
Moïse's assassination has led to a significant deterioration of security in Haiti, with armed gangs seizing control and contributing to a humanitarian crisis. The investigation into the assassination has faced challenges, including gang violence and a weakened judicial system in Haiti. While 11 individuals have been indicted in the U.S., including five who have pleaded guilty and received life sentences, another 20 suspects, including Colombian soldiers and Haitian officials, have been charged in Haiti.
Criticism and Concerns
Experts have expressed concerns that the U.S. trial's narrow focus on a limited number of defendants may leave critical questions about the broader conspiracy unanswered. The implications of the assassination continue to resonate, as Haiti grapples with ongoing instability and violence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “According to court documents, South Florida served as a key hub for planning and financing the plot to overthrow Moïse and install a new leader favored by the conspirators.” — Court Document
- “However, the investigation there has been hampered by gang violence, death threats and the country’s weakened judicial system.” — Legal Expert
The trial is expected to shed light on the conspiracy while raising further questions about accountability and justice in the aftermath of Moïse's assassination.
