Eighteen suspects facing federal charges for the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse were transported via a military flight from Port-au-Prince to Florida on Sunday, according to reports by Reuters and The Associated Press.
Federal Jurisdiction Established in Florida Court
According to federal prosecutors in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, legal jurisdiction was established in the state because the overarching plot to assassinate Moïse was primarily engineered, financed, and staged out of southern Florida. The high-profile investigation is being directed by US Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones, an appointee of US President Donald Trump.
“Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse,” Quiñones wrote on social media, as reported by Reuters and The Associated Press. Quiñones added that investigators will follow the evidence wherever it leads, targeting those who financed, facilitated, or supported the crimes.
Ongoing Prosecutions and Prior Convictions
The latest extradition follows successful prosecutions secured by the US Attorney’s Office in May, when a Florida jury convicted four men in the killing, according to the Associated Press. Those convicted include Arcángel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages, who prosecutors alleged were among the masterminds behind the plot to kill the Haitian leader. At least five other individuals have pleaded guilty and are currently serving life sentences.
While Quiñones did not immediately identify the 18 suspects transferred on Sunday, he noted that 30 people in total have been indicted in connection with the murder. FBI Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles confirmed that multiple arrests were executed in the US and abroad on Sunday, emphasizing that authorities remain steadfast in ensuring all individuals who sought profit from the assassination face full accountability.
Institutional Collapse and Legal Fallout in Haiti
Moïse, 53, was shot dead overnight in July 2021 at his private residence in the Pelerin 5 neighborhood above Port-au-Prince, leaving his wife, Martine Moïse, critically injured. The assassination triggered a profound political vacuum and institutional collapse in Haiti, leaving the country devoid of any elected national leader. Armed gangs quickly capitalized on the void, consolidating control over an estimated 90 percent of the capital. The United Nations documented at least 8,100 gang killings in 2025 alone, with insecurity displacing roughly 1.5 million people.
Federal prosecutors stated that a fair trial inside Haiti had grown increasingly impossible due to the ongoing security collapse, entrenched graft, and political chaos that severely paralyzed the nation’s judicial system. However, Pierre Esperance, executive director of the National Human Rights Defense Network in Haiti, criticized the transfer, calling it a “disgrace for the Haitian justice system” and urging an overhaul to handle complex cases domestically.
Did you know? No national elections have been held in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, deepening the political and humanitarian crisis across the Caribbean nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the suspects being tried in the United States?
According to federal prosecutors, US courts established jurisdiction because the conspiracy to assassinate President Jovenel Moïse was primarily engineered, financed, and staged out of southern Florida.
Who is leading the US investigation?
The high-profile investigation is directed by US Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, working alongside the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
What happened to former First Lady Martine Moïse?
Martine Moïse was wounded during the July 2021 attack and testified in Miami federal court in March, where she accused former President Michel Martelly and former Prime Minister Ariel Henry of having connections to the killing. In 2024, a Haitian judge indicted her on charges of complicity and criminal association, which her attorney described as ridiculous and unjust.
Want to stay updated on international investigations and legal developments? Subscribe to our newsletter or explore more of our coverage on global justice.
Worth a look