By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, July 7, 2023 – Two years ago to the day, in July 2021 a group of men murdered then Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, injured his wife Martine and set in motion events that would lead directly to near destruction of democracy in Haiti.
As for the men responsible, the United States and other international partners managed to round up several including:
- a group of Colombian soldiers who acted as the muscle behind the operation according authorities
- 59 year old Antonio “Tony” Intriago, a US security firm owner who is said to have hired the Colombians
- 50 year old Arcangel Pretel Ortiz,
- 54 year old Walter Veintemilla, who is accused of funding the operation.
- 64 year old Frederick Joseph Bergmann who is accused of smuggling in the weaponry used for the killing.
- Rudolphe Jaar who has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to life in prison
While the men managed to kill Moïse, his wife, Martine survived and is on record openly accusing Haiti’s current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry of being involved in the sordid plot.
Mrs. Moïse has also said she is seriously considering running for President of the Republic of Haiti and continuing the work that her husband started.
Jovenel Moïse was a Haitian entrepreneur and politician, who served as the 43rd President of Haiti from 2017 until his assassination in 2021.
Moïse was 53-years-old at the time of his assassination at his home in Pétion-Ville; the shooting took place in the wee hours of the morning – 1 a.m. – on July 7, 2021.
