Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, a former banana producer and political neophyte who ruled Haiti for more than four years as the country grew increasingly unstable under his watch, was killed on Wednesday. He was 53.Moïse was assassinated at his private home following "a highly coordinated attack by a highly trained and heavily armed group," interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said. His wife, Martine Moïse, was injured in the attack and remains hospitalized."Haiti has lost a true statesman," Joseph said. "We will ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are swiftly brought to justice."In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination ... and the attack on First Lady Martine Moïse of Haiti. We condemn this heinous act, and I am sending my sincere wishes for First Lady Moïse's recovery."Speaking to reporters later, Biden said: "We need a lot more information — but it's — it's just — it's been very worrisome about the state of Haiti," he told reporters.Moïse took office in February 2017, pledging to strengthen institutions, fight corruption and bring more investments and jobs to the Western hemisphere's poorest nation. But his administration was plagued by massive protests from the start, and critics accused him of growing increasingly authoritarian.Moïse had been ruling by decree for more than a year after Parliament was dissolved and lawmakers failed to organize legislative elections. He was widely criticized for approving decrees, including one that limited the powers of a court that audits government contracts and another that created an intelligence agency that answers only to the president.Political and economic instability deepened in recent months, with widespread protests paralyzing the country of more than 11 million people. In addition, gangs in the capital of Port-au-Prince have grown more powerful, with more than 14,700 people driven from their homes last month alone as gangs set fire to homes and ransacked them.In addition, 15 people were killed during a June 29 shooting rampage in the capital, including a journalist and well-known political activist. Officials blamed a group of rogue police officers but have not provided any evidence.Moïse is survived by his wife and three children.___Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press writer John Rice in Mexico City and CNN contributed to this report.
Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, a former banana producer and political neophyte who ruled Haiti for more than four years as the country grew increasingly unstable under his watch, was killed on Wednesday. He was 53.
Moïse was assassinated at his private home following "a highly coordinated attack by a highly trained and heavily armed group," interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said. His wife, Martine Moïse, was injured in the attack and remains hospitalized.
"Haiti has lost a true statesman," Joseph said. "We will ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are swiftly brought to justice."
In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination ... and the attack on First Lady Martine Moïse of Haiti. We condemn this heinous act, and I am sending my sincere wishes for First Lady Moïse's recovery."
Speaking to reporters later, Biden said: "We need a lot more information — but it's — it's just — it's been very worrisome about the state of Haiti," he told reporters.
Moïse took office in February 2017, pledging to strengthen institutions, fight corruption and bring more investments and jobs to the Western hemisphere's poorest nation. But his administration was plagued by massive protests from the start, and critics accused him of growing increasingly authoritarian.
Moïse had been ruling by decree for more than a year after Parliament was dissolved and lawmakers failed to organize legislative elections. He was widely criticized for approving decrees, including one that limited the powers of a court that audits government contracts and another that created an intelligence agency that answers only to the president.
Political and economic instability deepened in recent months, with widespread protests paralyzing the country of more than 11 million people. In addition, gangs in the capital of Port-au-Prince have grown more powerful, with more than 14,700 people driven from their homes last month alone as gangs set fire to homes and ransacked them.
In addition, 15 people were killed during a June 29 shooting rampage in the capital, including a journalist and well-known political activist. Officials blamed a group of rogue police officers but have not provided any evidence.
Moïse is survived by his wife and three children.
___
Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press writer John Rice in Mexico City and CNN contributed to this report.
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