Group Suspected of Haitian President Assassination Arrested
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After the assassination of the Haitian President, police say "a 28-man commando unit, including 26 Columbians and two Haitian Americans" is involved.
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Weapons that were in the possession of the suspected group, displayed by Haitian police
Haiti police announced yesterday, on Thursday, that the armed commando unit responsible for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, who was killed on Wednesday, comprises 26 Columbians and two Haitian Americans.
Police Chief Charles Leon said during a press conference "there were 26 Colombians, identified by their passports, and two Haitian Americans as well” that carried out the assassination of the President.
He noted that the two Americans and 15 out of the 26 Columbians were arrested, while three were killed and 8 remain at large.
"The weapons and equipment used by the attackers" were found, Leon added, announcing his determination to find the others.
The US Department of State did not confirm the arrest of two American citizens but said yesterday that it agreed to help Haiti police in the investigation.
The manhunt for the remaining members of the unit that killed Moïse in his residence in Port-au-Prince is picking up.
The Taiwanese Embassy in Haiti announced the arrest of 11 suspects on its premises after allowing the police to conduct search operations and capture them.
It is worth noting that Haiti has become the poorest country in the two Americas. Shops, banks, and gas stations were closed on Thursday. The airport and the land borders with the Dominican Republic, which shares Hispaniola Island with Haiti, were also closed.
Police had exchanged fire with the suspected murderers in the capital early on Wednesday after the attack on the President's residence.
Interim President Claude Joseph announced the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on Wednesday, saying in a statement released early on that day that unidentified gunmen attacked the residence of President Jovenel Moïse overnight, killing him by gunshot, and that the First Lady was also injured in the attack and was rushed to the hospital, according to Reuters.
