U.S. arrests more suspects in assassination of Haitian president

Four men suspected of involvement in the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were arrested Tuesday in Florida by U.S. officials. Three men—Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and Frederick Bergmann—are American citizens. The fourth man charged—Arcangel Pretel Ortiz—is a Colombian national residing in Miami. Charges levied against the suspects include conspiracy, smuggling, and financing the operation that resulted in the president’s murder. Tama Kudman, Veintemilla’s attorney, told The Associated Press that his client would plead not guilty to all charges. A total of 11 suspects in Moïse’s killing are now in U.S. custody.

Why was the president killed? While it remains unclear who led the plot to kill Moïse, political instability was growing in Haiti at the time of his death, and some Haitians had called for his removal. Dozens of people are believed to have been involved in the plot, and United States officials have said the conspirators were planning to install a new president after Moïse was killed. More than 40 people, including 18 military-trained Colombians, have been arrested in Haiti, but no court hearings have been held. 

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report in World Tour on Haiti’s request for assistance to bring order to the country.