Moiz Zhovenel (Jovenel Moise)

Moiz Zhovenel (Jovenel Moise)

Biography

2021: Assassination of the President

On July 7, 2021, 53-year-old Haitian President Jovenel Moise was killed at his residence in Port-au-Prince. His wife Martin Moise was also seriously injured. Martial law has been declared in the country.

According to Le Nouvelliste, the head of state received 12 bullet wounds, including to the head. The president's daughter was not injured - she hid in her brother's bedroom, and the raiders tied up the servants.

The attackers fled, and by July 7, 2021 it is unclear whether their motive was robbery or this political murder. The statement by the country's acting Prime Minister, Claude Joseph, only indicated that the criminals spoke Spanish and English - both of which are not official in Haiti.

Condemning this abhorrent, inhuman and barbaric act, the government calls on the population to calm and assures that the security situation is under the control of the army and police, "said Claude Joseph.

Haitian police chief Leon Charles said that security forces shot dead four mercenaries suspected of murder and detained two more. According to Charles, the attackers took three police officers hostage, but they were released during the operation in Port-au-Prince.

Constant protests have been held in Haiti since Moise won the 2016 election. He was accused of embezzlement from the state budget and sponsoring attacks that killed at least 240 people.

By mid-July 2021, Haiti, a republic founded by former slaves, is one of the poorest countries in the world and is experiencing several crises: violence by armed gangs, famine, and economic turmoil. Also, after the assassination of the president, legal power developed in the country. There are only 10 elected officials in the state.^[1]

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