Who Was the Haiti President Killed?
Jovenel Moïse was the president of Haiti who was killed in his residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021. He was serving a term that had been extended following a disputed electoral process. The attack left the country without a clear executive leader during a period of heightened instability.
What Happened During the Attack?
Armed individuals stormed the president's home in the early morning hours, breaching security and engaging in a firefight with guards. Moïse was shot multiple times and later died from his injuries. His wife, Martine Moïse, was also wounded in the assault and was airlifted to a hospital in the United States for treatment.
What Has Been the Aftermath?
Following the killing, Haiti declared a state of siege and deployed police and military forces to maintain order. An investigation led to the arrest of several suspects, including former Colombian soldiers and Haitian-American security contractors. The event intensified the country's political and humanitarian crisis, prompting international calls for a transparent judicial process.
For background on the broader context of the crisis, see the overview provided by the Council on Foreign Relations here.
