Haiti police say they have arrested the suspected mastermind behind the operation to assassinate President Jovenel Moïse.

Haiti National Police Chief Leon Charles said the first person contacted by the gunmen was Christian Emmanuel Sanon, who is currently in custody.

He added that Sanon "was in contact with Venezuelan security companies based in the United States."

Haiti police had announced days ago that the armed commando unit responsible for the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse comprises 26 Columbians and two Haitian Americans. 

Interim Haitian President Claude Joseph announced that the "guns and equipment used by the attacks" were found, showing determination to find the other perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the manhunt for the team that shot Moïse in his Port-au-Prince residence is picking up. The Taiwanese embassy in Haiti also announced the arrest of 11 suspects on its premises after it allowed police to conduct a search and capture operation.