Assassin suspects in Haiti include Americans, Colombians

Haitian National Chief Léon Charles paraded 17 handcuffed suspects linked to the killing of President Jovenel Moïse during a late Thursday news conference. Two of them were dual U.S.-Haiti citizens, while 15 others were from Colombia. Charles said police killed three suspects and continue to search for eight others. The brazen 1 a.m. attack on Wednesday killed the president and has left his wife, First Lady Martine, receiving treatment at a Miami hospital.

Who are the suspects? Authorities identified the Haitian Americans as Joseph Vincent and James Solages. Solages said he is a “certified diplomatic agent” and a rising politician, according to a charity he founded in 2019 to help people in the Haitian town of Jacmel. His bio also said he had worked as a bodyguard at the Canadian Embassy in Haiti. Colombia said six of the suspects, including two who were killed, were retired members of its army. United Nations special envoy Helen La Lime said Haitian officials have asked for additional security assistance.

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archive, listen to Mary Reichard’s 2019 report on the unrest in Haiti.