Outrage from Moïse’s son as Colombian ‘death squad’ accused in ex-Haitian president’s assassination may go free

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Reports of a possible release of 17 Colombians accused of assassinating Haitian President Jovenel Moïse have outraged his son, Joverlein Moïse, who called it an affront to Haiti’s sovereignty. The development comes as the Haitian Court of Appeals prepares to hear arguments on Monday, Jan. 20, regarding the indictment issued against the Colombians by Judge Walter Wesser Voltaire.

“The Colombians should remain in prison until the trial is over,” the slain president’s son wrote on X on Sunday, denouncing the hearing as a plan to release the mercenaries ahead of Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Haiti on Jan. 22. 

“Any other decision is an insult to every single Haitian and to our sovereignty as a people,” he added. He stressed that releasing the accused Colombians—who entered Haiti to overthrow a constitutionally elected president, stormed his private residence, and killed him—is unacceptable.

Ou antre ak zam nan men w sou yon teritwa etranje, ou vin patisipe nan koudeta yon prezidan kostitisyonèlman eli, ou antre ak zam nan rezidans prive prezidan an, ou touye l, ou nan prizon jiskaske ankèt fini… epi kounya w ap pale de libète? Ki libète? – KOLONBYEN yo ap ret nan…

— Joverlein Moïse (@joverleinmo) January 19, 2025

The Colombians, arrested in July 2021 following Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, are accused of being part of a heavily armed commando unit that stormed the late president’s private residence in Pèlerin 5, Port-au-Prince, killing him in cold blood. Moïse was found dead with 12 gunshot wounds. His wife, Martine Moïse, was injured in the attack and later transported to the United States for treatment.

Joverlein Moïse reiterates the family’s demand for justice for his father

Comments from the son of the Haitian president assassinated on July 7, 2021, reflect his frustration over the slow-moving judicial process, which has left many unanswered questions about the brutal murder. He denounced the idea of releasing the Colombians before a full trial could be conducted, reiterating that justice must be served in his father’s assassination case.

Joverlein Moïse also accused the Colombians’ defense lawyer, Natalie Dérisca, of spreading false narratives. Dérisca, who has called for the release of her clients, filed an appeal contesting Judge Voltaire’s indictment. She argued that her clients are being held unlawfully and have not been given due process.

The scheduled hearing at the Court of Appeal last week was postponed due to the workload and the high number of lawyers and defendants involved in the case. Dérisca confirmed to The Haitian Times that the new hearing date has been set for Monday, Jan. 20.

“We are awaiting the court’s ruling,” Dérisca said. “We were hoping for the release of our clients,” she added, expressing her dissatisfaction with the judge’s order to reschedule the expected hearing last week.

“The Colombians should remain in prison until the trial is over.”

Joverlein Moïse, Son of the late President Jovenel Moïse

In its manhunt, the police have arrested 17 Colombians, along with several Haitian police officers, including Dimitri Hérard, the head of the General Security Unit of the National Palace (USGPN), who escaped from prison during the massive evasion orchestrated by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition in March 2024. Jean Laguel Civil, the head of the Presidential Security Unit (USP), and the Colombians remain in prison. 

Other individuals, such as Macky Kessa, the former mayor of Jacmel, and Félix Badio, a key suspect in the assassination case, have also been detained.

The case has seen more than 40 individuals arrested, including former Haitian officials, police officers, Haitian Americans and other foreign nationals accused of aiding the plot. Some suspects have also been detained abroad, including in the United States, where at least three individuals have received life sentences. However, in Haiti, more than three years after the assassination, no trial has been held, and the judicial system remains under scrutiny for its failure to deliver justice.

Colombian President Petro to visit Haiti amid tensions

President Petro is scheduled to visit Haiti on Jan. 22, just two days after the Court of Appeal hearing. Rumors have been swirling in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, as many speculate about a possible deal between Haitian authorities and the Colombian president in favor of the ex-Colombian military members accused of being part of the death squad tasked with killing the Haitian president. 

However, the president of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), Lesly Voltaire, said during the launch of the television show Madi Nasyon An on Jan. 14 that Petro’s visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Haiti and Colombia, focusing on security, humanitarian aid, trade, tourism and education.

“We are waiting for the court’s ruling and hoping for the release of our clients.”

 Natalie Dérisca, One of the detained Colombians’ lawyers

During his trip, the Colombian president will convene a binational Council of Ministers meeting with the CPT and members of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’s cabinet in Jacmel, the capital of the Southeast Department and a tourist destination located approximately 58 miles from Port-au-Prince. This marks Petro’s second important engagement with Haitian government representatives in recent months. In December 2024, Voltaire, along with about twelve ministers and other senior officials, traveled to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, to discuss regional collaboration and potential trade agreements with Colombia. 

Petro has publicly acknowledged Colombia’s role in Haiti’s destabilization, citing the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, and ammunition into the country. During a conference in April 2024 in Bogotá with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Petro admitted that Colombia has inadvertently contributed to Haiti’s insecurity, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and support for the country’s recovery.

Haiti is seeking South-South cooperation and trade agreements

As announced by Voltaire, Petro’s visit is expected to be an occasion to discuss Haiti’s ongoing security challenges and to announce humanitarian aid packages for communities displaced by gang violence. Additionally, the leaders will explore trade agreements that could allow Haiti to purchase products directly from Colombia, bypassing intermediaries such as the Dominican Republic.

Education is also a key focus of the bilateral cooperation. Petro has promised scholarships for Haitian students and has proposed the possibility of Haiti acquiring weapons and ammunition through Colombia’s military industry.

For now, many observers think that the assassination of Jovenel Moïse remains a watershed moment in Haiti’s modern history, underscoring the nation’s profound political and security challenges. While the upcoming hearing and Petro’s visit offer opportunities for collaboration, they also highlight the unresolved tensions surrounding the case.

Like Joverlein Moïse, many Haitians continue to demand accountability for the Haitian president’s father’s death, while the international community watches closely for any signs of progress in a case that has become emblematic of Haiti’s struggles with impunity and governance.

Meanwhile, authorities in Port-au-Prince appear to be betting heavily on the Colombian president’s support for Haiti.

“Gustavo Petro does not spare any effort with the presidents of other countries in the region to ask for help for Haiti,” said Voltaire, highlighting Petro’s promises of humanitarian aid to the Haitian people.

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Outrage from Moïse’s son as Colombian ‘death squad’ accused in ex-Haitian president’s assassination may go free was first posted on January 20, 2025 at 2:01 pm.