MIAMI (AP) – On Friday, a jury in Florida found four men guilty of conspiracy in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was killed on July 7, 2021. The men convicted include Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages. They were charged with conspiring to kill or kidnap Moïse and providing material support for their plot, alongside violating the U.S. Neutrality Act.
The prosecution argued that South Florida was a crucial hub for the planning and financing of the assassination, where the conspirators aimed to remove Moïse and install an alternative leader of their choosing. Given the gravity of their actions, the defendants could face life sentences if sentenced accordingly.
The fatal attack that led to Moïse's death involved approximately two dozen foreign mercenaries, predominantly hailing from Colombia, assaulting his residence located near Port-au-Prince. During this violent incident, Moïse's wife, Martine, sustained injuries and was subsequently flown to the U.S. for medical treatment.
The trial, which commenced nearly two months prior in Miami, highlighted the political chaos that erupted in Haiti following the assassination. The Caribbean nation has since experienced unprecedented turmoil, with increased power and violence among gang leaders.
Ortiz and Intriago were identified as principals of the Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Counter Terrorist Unit Security, collectively referred to as CTU, while Veintemilla was linked to Worldwide Capital Lending Group—both companies being based in South Florida. Solages, acting as a CTU representative in Haiti, coordinated actions with Christian Sanon, a dual Haitian-American citizen whom investigators alleged was initially preferred by the conspirators to succeed Moïse. Sanon is slated to face trial at a later date.
In connection with this conspiracy, at least five additional individuals have already pleaded guilty and are currently serving life sentences for their roles in the assassination plot.
