In a significant development concerning the 2021 assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, four men have been found guilty in a U.S. federal court. Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages were convicted of conspiracy to kill or kidnap Moïse, alongside the provision of material support for the operation. The verdict, delivered by a Florida jury, also included convictions under the U.S. Neutrality Act, with the accused facing the possibility of life imprisonment.
The assassination, which took place on July 7, 2021, involved foreign mercenaries storming Moïse’s private residence near Port-au-Prince, leading to his death and severe injury to his wife, Martine Moïse. This event has significantly destabilized Haiti, escalating political and security unrest. The court heard that South Florida was pivotal in planning and financing the operation, with the conspirators allegedly intending to replace Moïse with a leader who could offer them financial benefits from a reshaped Haitian government.
During the trial in Miami, Martine Moïse provided a poignant testimony about the horrific night, recounting her husband’s final words: “Honey, we are dead.” She spoke through a Creole interpreter, detailing the frightening moments as gunfire erupted at their home. The court proceedings also revealed connections between the convicted men and various entities such as the Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Worldwide Capital Lending Group, all based in South Florida.
Defense attorneys argued that the accused believed their mission to be legitimate, backed by what they perceived as an authentic Haitian arrest warrant. They suggested the men had been misled and made scapegoats for an alleged internal political coup against Moïse, who faced criticism for extending his presidency. Additionally, prosecutors identified Christian Sanon, a dual Haitian-American citizen, as an early candidate to replace Moïse, with James Solages coordinating efforts within Haiti.
The assassination has left Haiti in a state of crisis, with gang violence surging since the incident. Five other individuals have already been sentenced after pleading guilty to roles in the plot. The Haitian government continues its own investigation into the assassination, targeting over 20 suspects, although progress has been hampered by ongoing instability within the country’s judicial system.
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