FBI, DHS agents headed to Haiti as U.S. citizens are accused in assassination plot
The United States is sending FBI and Department of Homeland Security officials to Haiti to help in the investigation of President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, the White House said Friday, as two Americans stand accused in the plot.
That decision came after the Haitian ambassador to the United States asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken for help “in the ongoing investigation” following Moïse’s killing on Wednesday.
The FBI “can play a critical role in rendering justice,” Bocchit Edmond, the Haitian envoy, wrote in a letter to Blinken.
White House officials did not provide details on the number of agents that would be involved in the investigation which is led by the Haitian National Police.
“In response to the Haitian government’s request for security and investigative assistance, we will be sending senior FBI and DHS officials to Port-au-Prince as soon as possible to assess the situation and how we may be able to assist,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a briefing.
A State Department official said the delegation will also be assessing the security situation on the ground, in addition to helping with the Moïse probe.
U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies are still piecing together their initial assessment of what happened at a suburban home outside Haiti’s capital in the early hours of Wednesday, when gunmen stormed Moïse’s residence, fatally shooting him and wounding his wife.
The situation is complicated by the accusation that two U.S. citizens, both from South Florida, were involved.
“Making sure we are providing resources, in terms of woman- and manpower, but also financial resources, is part of what our objective is as well,” Psaki said.
Edmond also asked Blinken to impose sanctions on all individuals who are “directly responsible or aided and abetted in the execution” of the plot against Moïse under the Global Magnitsky Act.
That law bans foreigners who have engaged in human rights abuses or corruption from entering the United States, and permits U.S. authorities to freeze their assets.
“The reason is as follows,” Edmond told the Miami Herald. “After the investigations if it is proven that this barbaric act was financed or paid by someone it would imperative to sanction the person or the organization who was behind the assassination of a Head of State.”
Haitian authorities have identified two Haitian-Americans – James J. Solages, 35, and Vincent Joseph, 55 – among the suspects in their investigation, as well as four Colombian nationals.
The Biden administration would not confirm whether the U.S. Embassy in Haiti has been in touch with the two Americans.
But a source familiar with the matter said the Embassy intended to grant the two U.S. citizens access to consulate officials on Friday.
A State Department official told McClatchy that they “are aware of the arrest of two U.S. citizens in Haiti and are monitoring the situation closely.”
“Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment,” the official said.
Psaki, asked whether the potential involvement of Americans in the killing would affect U.S. support, responded, “the investigation is not going to impact the assistance we’re providing to the people of Haiti.”
The Biden administration is working with Claude Joseph, the acting prime minister, who has requested the assistance. But Moïse’s killing opened a power struggle in Port-au-Prince, where Ariel Henry, who was appointed by Moise shortly before his death, is staking a claim to power.
“The United States remains engaged and in close consultations with our Haitian and international partners to support the Haitian people in the aftermath of the assassination of the president,” Psaki said.
McClatchy investigative reporter Kevin Hall contributed reporting.
This story was originally published July 9, 2021 at 2:57 PM with the headline "FBI, DHS agents headed to Haiti as U.S. citizens are accused in assassination plot."
