MIAMI — Eighteen defendants have been transported from Haiti to South Florida to face federal charges related to the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, federal prosecutors confirmed.
The defendants were brought to the Southern District of Florida through an initiative involving the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. This operation is part of a broader effort under the federal Homeland Security Task Force initiative.
Next Steps in Prosecution
This recent transfer adds eighteen individuals to the federal case being prosecuted in South Florida, which has seen a total of thirty indictments linked to the assassination, five years after the incident took place. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones stated, “Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.” He emphasized that efforts will continue to investigate those accused of financing and supporting the assassination plot.
Federal authorities allege that Moïse was killed in July 2021 by individuals motivated by the prospect of financial gain from illicit activities. FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles highlighted the operation as part of the agency’s commitment to pursuing all involved in the assassination plot. Skiles noted, “FBI Miami, along with our domestic and international partners, remains steadfast in ensuring that all individuals who allegedly sought to profit from the assassination of a head of state are held fully accountable.”
Additionally, HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa remarked that efforts are ongoing to identify other individuals who may have been involved and to investigate the larger criminal network associated with the assassination.
The prosecution is under the jurisdiction of the Homeland Security Task Force, which concentrates on tackling transnational criminal organizations, foreign gangs, cartels, and human trafficking. The task force comprises personnel from the FBI, HSI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami office.
Federal prosecutors reiterated that the investigation is active and ongoing.
Why It Matters
This ongoing case underscores the United States’ efforts to address international crime and hold accountable those involved in significant criminal activities, particularly those impacting national and international security.
