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More than a dozen arrested in connection with 2021 assassination of Haitian president

Jovenel Moïse, 53, was shot dead in July 2021 in a killing which sparked chaos in Haiti Eighteen people have been arrested in association with the 2021 assassination of the Haitian president Jovenel Moïse, according to US officials. Moïse, 53, was shot dead on 7 July 2021, at his private residence by a hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombian mercenaries. His security detail did not…

More than a dozen arrested in connection with 2021 assassination of Haitian president

In July 2021, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in a plot involving hired Colombian mercenaries, according to US officials. The president, 53 at the time, was killed at his private residence by a group of about 20 military-trained individuals. His security detail did not prevent the murder. US authorities have arrested over a dozen people in connection with the assassination, with 18 suspects taken to Florida to face trial.

An additional 30 suspects have been indicted in the killing, with five already sentenced to life in prison. The remaining 30 are awaiting trial. The plot was allegedly lured by the promise of lucrative contracts for a private security firm, CTU, should the president be removed from power. Gangs now control about 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital, and violent crimes are rampant.

The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, intended to help local police combat the gangs, has fallen short of its planned staffing levels.

Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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