Tuesday, a US court sentenced a former Haitian politician to life for assassinating President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
Former Haitian senator sentenced to life in US prison for role in president’s assassination (Photo: CTV News)
Haitian Senator Gets Life in Miami Court for President’s Murder
Following his October guilty plea to three charges related to his role in the 2021 murder of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, Joseph Joel John, a Miami resident born in Haiti, was sentenced to life in prison. The allegations include plotting to assassinate and abduct someone outside the US and providing material support. John was moved from Jamaica in May 2022 and admitted to helping procure cars and guns and meeting with other criminals before the murder.
President Moise was killed in a Port-au-Prince house attack on July 7, 2021. This worsened Haiti. First lady Martine Moise was shot but recovered. After that, gang violence and killings increased, making Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s job difficult.
Gang attacks resulted in murder, rape, and kidnapping, according to a UN Human Rights Office and UN Integrated Office in Haiti investigation.
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Haiti Multinational Gang Violence Mission Approved by UN
October saw the UN Security Council approve an international gang violence support mission. Kenya will spearhead the mission with 1,000 police. It’s unclear when the security personnel will arrive in Haiti, and legal issues have complicated deployment.
The country is still recovering from Moise’s death, and peace depends on stopping the escalating violence and restoring safety.
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