Logo

Four “mercenaries” suspected of assassinating Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were killed by police on Wednesday night — and two others were arrested in a tense gun battle in the impoverished country, officials said.

Three officers were held hostage and freed in the standoff, according to Haiti’s police chief, Léon Charles.

“We blocked them en route as they left the scene of the crime. Since then, we have been battling with them,” Charles said in a televised statement.

“They will be killed or apprehended.”

Moïse, 53, was killed in a gun attack at his home outside Port-au-Prince around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

President of Haiti Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his home on July 7, 2021.JEAN MARC HERVE ABELARD/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockPresident of Haiti Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his home on July 7, 2021.JEAN MARC HERVE ABELARD/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The killers were earlier described by Bocchit Edmond, Haiti’s ambassador to the US, as “well-trained professional commandos” who were feared to have already fled the country.


  Security forces conduct an investigation as a soldier stands guard at the entrance to the residence of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021. AP Security forces conduct an investigation as a soldier stands guard at the entrance to the residence of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021. AP

  A Haitian police officer stands guard outside the presidential residence after leader Jovenel Moïse was assassinated and his wife wounded on July 7, 2021. AFP via Getty Images A Haitian police officer stands guard outside the presidential residence after leader Jovenel Moïse was assassinated and his wife wounded on July 7, 2021. AFP via Getty Images

  An ambulance reportedly carrying the body of President Jovenel Moise drives past a mural featuring him on July 7, 2021. AP An ambulance reportedly carrying the body of President Jovenel Moise drives past a mural featuring him on July 7, 2021. AP

Edmond earlier Wednesday also called the assassins “foreign mercenaries” who tried to pass themselves off as agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Following the assassination of Moïse, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph closed Haiti’s borders and enacted martial law in the already unstable country that is plagued by gang violence, surging inflation and political protests.

First lady Martine Moïse was also wounded in the attack. She was flown to Miami for treatment in critical but stable condition.

With Post wires


  Haiti’s first lady Martine Moise was wounded in the attack and transported to a trauma center for treatment on July 7, 2021. AP Haiti’s first lady Martine Moise was wounded in the attack and transported to a trauma center for treatment on July 7, 2021. AP


  The “alleged assassins” of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were arrested. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares The “alleged assassins” of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were arrested. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

  Haitian police stand near a mural featuring President Moise near the leader’s home, where he was killed on July 7, 2021. AP Haitian police stand near a mural featuring President Moise near the leader’s home, where he was killed on July 7, 2021. AP

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy