In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the legal proceedings concerning the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse show no signs of progress as none of the suspects detained have stood trial. Moïse was brutally killed at his residence nearly four years ago, and the investigation has been hindered by gang-related violence, threats, and a dysfunctional judicial system.
Judge Claude Jean recently confronted a Haitian policeman, previously tasked with President Moïse’s safety, declaring, “You failed in your mission.” Jean is among six judges trying to assess whether there is enough evidence to bring the 20 suspects charged in the assassination to trial. Authorities have indicated that some suspects were plotting a coup rather than murder, hoping to gain financially with a new government.
The suspects include 17 former Colombian soldiers and three Haitian officials: a former mayor, ex-policeman, and a past employee of the Ministry of Justice. Notably absent are key suspects who escaped after gang raids on Haitian prisons last year, including Dimitri Hérard, the former head of security at Haiti’s National Palace. Additionally, three Colombian suspects were killed shortly after the assassination, and Judge Windelle Coq Thélot, an essential figure in the case, died in January while still evading capture.
The investigation has been fraught with interruptions. Judges resigning due to fear for their safety halted proceedings, and attempts by defense attorneys to appeal after evidence sufficed for trial further delayed the process. Meanwhile, a gang took control of Port-au-Prince’s downtown courthouse, forcing judges to relocate hearings to safer areas. The inquiry recommenced in May, in a more secure location within Pétion-Ville.
Judge Phemond Damicy cross-examined Ronald Guerrier, one of the officers supposed to defend the president. Guerrier claimed he was incapacitated by a stun grenade and could not respond to the attacking intruders, who posed as DEA agents and had superior knowledge of the premises.
During intense interrogations within the investigation’s fortified headquarters, judges raised their voices in frustration. One notable session involved questioning Joseph Badio, a former Ministry of Justice official, regarding his alleged contact with then Prime Minister-designate Ariel Henry after the assassination.
Similarly, Colombian suspects have reiterated their claims of innocence, asserting they were employed by a Miami-based firm to secure infrastructure and train local forces. Their lawyer decried the lack of presumption of innocence and alleged mistreatment, including accusations of torture.
Progress in Haiti remains stagnant, yet the U.S. has moved forward by charging 11 extradited suspects, five of whom have confessed to conspiracy to commit murder. A trial for five further suspects, including Miami-based CTU Security’s owner Anthony Intriago and other key individuals, is scheduled for 2026 in the United States.
Martine Moïse, the former president’s widow, is anticipated to testify in the American trial; she has survived the attack and faced accusations of complicity in Haiti, which her legal counsel denies. Court documents reveal that the original plan was to detain President Moïse and then transport him, but when resources fell short, the intent shifted to assassination.
As legal efforts continue, Bruner Ulysse, a Haitian lawyer and history professor, remarked on the significant obstacles within Haiti’s judicial system. He noted that while international efforts have shown some success, obtaining justice in Haiti remains challenging due to constant threats faced by those involved.