Jovenel Moïse’s political opponents, several of whom joined the Ariel camp in the aftermath of the murder of July 7, 2021, attempted, according to US federal authorities, to “solicit the support of Haitian gangs” before his assassination. U.S. federal authorities have revealed for the first time that political rivals of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moïse tried to enlist the support of Haitian gangs in the days before his assassination, but were unsuccessful.
According to documents filed in a separate federal gun-trafficking case and reported by the Miami Herald, a former senator who later admitted to conspiring to kill Moïse was among those present at a meeting between politicians and criminal organizations. A gang leader present at the meeting later became one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives.
Three years after the assassination, and as Haiti reels from the chaos of the murder, the full extent of the conspiracy remains unclear. Investigations in Miami and Haiti have provided some details, but a recent gang attack on Haiti’s National Penitentiary led to the escape of several suspects, including the head of Moïse’s security unit.
A confidential witness in a separate arms trafficking case against Germine “Yonyon” Joly, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, mentioned that The gang members were aware of the coup planJoly, who was sentenced last month to 35 years in the United States in the case, participated in the assassination planning meeting by telephone from a Haitian prison.
In Miami, a half-dozen men have pleaded guilty in the assassination case. Among them, Joseph Joel John, a former Haitian senator, admitted to conspiring with others to overthrow Moïse by force. John helped secure rental vehicles and weapons for the operation, and he introduced the plotters to gang members.
Other defendants convicted include Joseph Vincent, a former DEA informant; Germán Alejandro Rivera Garcia, a former Colombian military officer; and Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, a former Colombian soldier. They were sentenced to life in prison but are cooperating with federal prosecutors.
Other defendants awaiting trial include Antonio “Tony” Intriago, head of Miami-area security firm CTU Security; Arcángel Pretel Ortiz, a former FBI informant; Walter Veintemilla, a Broward County financier; James Solages, a Haitian-American; and Christian Emmanuel Sanon, initially seen as Moïse’s successor.
In Haiti, dozens of people, including Moïse’s widow and former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, have also been charged.. However, questions remain about who knew about the plot and who fired the fatal shots. Investigations have yet to establish a motive or definitively identify all those involved, but Mr. Edgard Leblanc has entrusted this herculean task to his Minister of Justice, whose cup is already full of unfinished or never-started judicial investigations.
Haiti continues to face severe gang violence and instability exacerbated by the power vacuum following Moïse’s assassination. A Kenyan-led international force has arrived in the country, and efforts are underway to stabilize the political situation and prepare for elections scheduled for February 2026. A recently formed transitional council selected Garry Conille as prime minister. He is tasked with leading the country out of its current state of chaos and into the 2026 electoral process.
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