Haiti Prez assassinated, fear of widespread turmoil rises

Port-au-Prince, July 7

Haiti President Jovenel Moise was shot dead by unidentified attackers in his private residence overnight in a “barbaric act”, the government said on Wednesday, stirring fears of escalating turmoil in the impoverished Caribbean nation.

The assassination coincided with a wave of gang violence in Port-au-Prince as armed groups have battled with police and one another for control of the streets in recent months, turning many districts of the capital into no-go zones.

The 53-year-old president’s wife, Martine Moise, was also shot in the attack that took place around 1 am local time and was receiving medical treatment, Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said in a statement.

“A group of unidentified individuals, some of them speaking Spanish, attacked the private residence of the President,” he said.

Joseph said the police and the army had the security situation under control.

With Haiti politically polarised and facing a growing humanitarian crisis and shortage of food, fears of widespread chaos are spreading. The Dominican Republic said it was closing its border with Haiti on the island of Hispaniola. The bloodshed in Haiti is driven by worsening poverty and political unrest.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the assassination and urged calm. “The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Diplomats said the council is likely to meet soon on the issue. — Reuters

It’s abhorrent: UK

The assassination is an abhorrent act. I am shocked and saddened at the death of President Moise. —Boris Johnson, British PM

Cowardly act

We reject the vile assassination of the Haitian President Jovenel Moise. It is a cowardly act full of barbarity against the entire Haitian people. —Ivan Duque, Colombian president

Horrific crime: US

This is a tragic tragedy. It’s a horrific crime. The US is assessing the “tragic attack”and Joe Biden will be briefed on the assassination. —Jen Psaki, White house press secretary

Condemn violence

We condemn these acts of violence…our condolences to the Haitian people. —Luis Arce, Bolivia presiden

Expect peace

Argentina hopes that peace and tranquility will soon be recovered in the country and asks for respect for democratic institutions. —Argentina’s foreign ministry