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Haiti Declares State of Siege After President Is Assassinated

Sandra Lemaire

   WASHINGTON / PORT-AU-PRINCE - Haiti is under a state of siege, interim
   Prime Minister Claude Joseph announced during a national address on
   state television Wednesday morning.
   The announcement came hours after President JovenelMoïsewas
   assassinatedby a group ofunknown gunmenat his private residence in
   Pelerin, a wealthy suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

   PrimeMinisterJoseph said heis in charge ofthe country and has imposed
   martial law, as Haiti's borders and its main airport closed.
   President Joe Biden walks towards members of the media before boarding
   Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, July 7,
   2021, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md, and then on to
   Illinois.

   U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attackand expressed
   condolencesin a statement issued by the White House.
   "We condemn this heinousact,and I am sending my sincere wishes for
   First LadyMoïse's recovery. The United States offers condolences to
   the people ofHaiti,and we stand ready to assist as we continue to work
   for a safe and secure Haiti,"the statement said.
   Bidencalled the attack "worrisome,"addingthat"we need a lot more
   information"while responding toareporter'squestion before
   boardingMarine Oneenroute toJoint Base AndrewsWednesdaymorning.

     Biden called assassination of the Haitian president "worrisome" &
     said he'll deliver message to Putin on ransomware before departing
     WH to JBA for flight to Illinois.
     Asked if U.S. w/ take more action in response to cyber attacks,
     Biden just smiled.
     Per pooler [1]@karentravers
     -- Patsy Widakuswara (@pwidakuswara) [2]July 7, 2021

   Presidential guards patrol the entrance to the residence of late
   Haitian President Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, July 7, 2021.

   Assassination details
   The Haitian prime ministerdescribed the attack, which occurred
   about1a.m.,as "highly coordinated" by a "highly trained and heavily
   armed group" whose members spoke in English and Spanish.

   Moïse's wife, Martine, was injured and taken to a hospital for
   treatment, Joseph said. One of the president's children, who was at
   home during the attack has been taken to a secure location.

   Joseph saidthe national police force is in control of the situation now
   andhas takenmeasures to ensure the continuity of government,as well
   astosecurethe nation.

   Josephurgedthe international community to investigate the murder.

   "We also call on the international community to launch an investigation
   into the assassination and for the United Nations to hold a Security
   Council meeting on Haiti as soon as possible,"hesaid in
   astatementemailed to VOA.
   Joseph vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
   FILE - Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, speaks on the floor of the House
   of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

   US lawmaker reaction
   On Capitol Hill,House Foreign Affairs Committeelead,TexasRepublican
   Michael McCaul,released a statementcondemning the killing and calling
   for a probe.
   "I strongly condemn the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel
   Moïse and hope his wife who was injured in the attack recovers
   quickly. There must be a full investigation and appropriate
   accountability for his murder. My condolences to the Moïse family and
   people of Haiti."
   United Nationsreaction
   United Nations Security Councilpresident, French Ambassador Nicolas de
   Riviere, described the assassination as "shocking" and offered
   condolences.
   "This is a critical moment. I think we all knew it was sensitive and
   difficult on the ground in Haiti. In view of the political situation
   and the security situation, this puts that in even graver danger than
   before, so I'm quite confident the council will in a very quick way
   meet to see how we can continue to support the people of Haiti,"
   Riviere said during a morning meeting. "I think this is a dark hour for
   them, and we certainly want to be sure we can express our support for
   the people of Haiti."
   Recent uptick in violence
   Haiti has been experiencing political instability and division,as well
   as a rise in gang violence.
   Last week in Port-au-Prince, gang leader Jimmy Cherisier, who is known
   by the nickname Barbeque, took to the streets to protest Moise's
   government, calling on him to resign.
   "Jovenel[Moise]must go!" Cherisier told reporters during the protest.
   "A new group of people needs to lead this country,and we must sit
   together around a table, have a national dialogue so we can redefine
   this country."
   Seeking to reassure the nation,the prime ministerhadappealed for calm.
   "Stay calm, the nation is secure, let's look for harmony," he said.

   MatiadoVilme and Yves Manuel in Port-au-Prince, White House
   correspondent PatsyWidakuswara, Capitol Hill correspondent Katherine
   Gypson, United Nations correspondent MargaretBesheer contributed to
   this report.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/karentravers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://twitter.com/pwidakuswara/status/1412787888241188866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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