Haitian president assassinated at home by unidentified attackers in 'barbaric act'
Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said in televised remarks after chairing a cabinet meeting that the government had declared a two-week state of emergency as it launched a manhunt for the killers. Authorities in the country, where the majority speak French or Haitian Creole, said the gunmen spoke English and Spanish, and appeared to include foreigners.
Haiti’s ambassador to the U.S., Bocchit Edmond, confirmed the gunmen had falsely identified themselves as DEA agents. He told Reuters in an interview Haitian authorities would welcome U.S. security assistance in the wake of the assassination.Article contentMany people in Haiti had wanted Moise to leave office. Ever since he took over in 2017, he faced calls to resign and mass protests — first over corruption allegations and his management of the economy, then over his increasing grip on power.
The international airport of Port-au-Prince was also closed, according to local media. The airport director could not immediately be reached for comment. The UN Security Council expressed deep shock and sympathy over Moise’s death ahead of a closed-door meeting on Thursday, requested by the United States and Mexico, to evaluate the situation.