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The widow of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse delivered emotional testimony Wednesday in a Miami federal courtroom, recounting the harrowing night in 2021 when assassins stormed their home, killing her husband and leaving her severely wounded.
Martine Moïse, continuing testimony that began Tuesday, described through a Creole interpreter how she was awakened by gunfire around 1 a.m. on July 7, 2021. When she turned to her husband in bed, he uttered what would be among his final words: “Honey, we are dead.”
The testimony came during the federal trial of four men charged with conspiracy in the assassination plot: Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty and face potential life sentences if convicted.
According to Moïse, after hearing gunshots, she crawled downstairs to check on her two adult children before returning to the bedroom, where she and her husband took cover on opposite sides of their bed. Armed men speaking Spanish soon burst into the room, opening fire with what sounded like automatic weapons. She was struck multiple times while her husband was fatally shot.
In one of the most startling revelations, Moïse testified that when the attackers left, she expected to find the bodies of the 30 to 50 security officers assigned to protect their residence. Instead, she discovered they had apparently abandoned their posts. “They were paid to leave,” she said.
Severely wounded, Moïse was first taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to Miami for surgery. She testified that her right arm remains permanently disabled, and she continues to experience chronic pain from her injuries.
The assassination plunged Haiti, already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, into unprecedented turmoil. In the three years since Moïse’s killing, gang violence has escalated dramatically, with criminal organizations now controlling much of the capital Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country.
Prosecutors allege that South Florida served as the central planning and financing hub for the conspiracy to remove Moïse from power and install someone of the conspirators’ choosing. The defendants were associated with two South Florida companies: Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Counter Terrorist Unit Security (collectively known as CTU) and Worldwide Capital Lending Group.
Defense attorneys have mounted an aggressive challenge to the prosecution’s narrative, arguing that their clients were manipulated into taking blame for what was actually an internal Haitian coup. They maintain the defendants believed they were working with FBI agents, U.S. Embassy officials, and members of the Haitian government to lawfully arrest a corrupt president.
The defense has pointed to Joseph Félix Badio, a former Haitian government employee arrested in Haiti last year, as the true mastermind who allegedly used the planned arrest as cover for assassination.
During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned Moïse about inconsistencies between her courtroom testimony and previous statements to the FBI. They also asked whether she was aware of being under investigation in Haiti in connection with her husband’s death. Moïse responded that those currently in power in Haiti were behind her husband’s killing and that she had fled the country for her own safety, offering to answer questions remotely rather than return to Haiti where she fears for her life. She noted that while she was previously indicted in Haiti, those charges were later annulled.
The attack was allegedly carried out by approximately two dozen foreign mercenaries, primarily from Colombia. Five other individuals have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the U.S. and are serving life sentences, while a sixth person received a nine-year sentence for providing body armor to the conspirators.
In Haiti, seventeen Colombian soldiers and three Haitian officials face charges, though the investigation there has stalled amid gang violence, death threats, and a collapsing judicial system.
U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra has set aside more than two months for the trial, signaling the complexity of a case that has international implications and continues to impact Haiti’s fragile political landscape.
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16 Comments
This trial represents an important opportunity for Haiti to seek justice and closure for the tragedy. The widow’s testimony must have been incredibly difficult, but her willingness to share her account is commendable and crucial for the legal process.
I agree. The widow’s testimony is a profound and courageous act, and it will be essential in helping to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. This is a critical moment for Haiti as it seeks to move forward from this devastating event.
The involvement of foreign nationals in this alleged conspiracy is particularly concerning. I hope the trial can shed light on the international dimensions and potential external forces that may have contributed to the president’s murder.
Absolutely. The international aspects of this case make it even more complex and concerning. Unraveling the full scope of the conspiracy and any foreign involvement will be crucial for understanding the broader implications.
The details of this case are truly shocking, and the impact on Haiti’s political and social stability is likely to be profound. I hope the trial can provide some measure of clarity and accountability, even if the full truth may be difficult to ascertain.
Absolutely. This assassination has undoubtedly left deep scars on Haiti, and the trial represents an important step in the country’s efforts to heal and rebuild. While the path forward may be challenging, uncovering the facts and holding the perpetrators accountable is crucial.
This case highlights the fragility of political leadership and the dangers that can arise, even in relatively stable democracies. I wonder what security measures and safeguards could be put in place to better protect heads of state going forward.
That’s a valid concern. The assassination of a sitting president is a shocking breach of security that deserves close examination. Strengthening protective protocols for political leaders is likely to be an important outcome of this trial.
This assassination raises serious questions about political stability and security in Haiti. I wonder what the broader implications could be for the country and the region, beyond just the legal proceedings against the alleged conspirators.
That’s a good point. The fallout from this event is likely to be far-reaching, both domestically in Haiti and potentially in the wider Caribbean. It will be important to monitor how the situation evolves in the aftermath of the trial.
While the details are disturbing, I appreciate the widow’s willingness to testify and provide her perspective. Gaining a fuller understanding of the circumstances surrounding the president’s assassination is crucial, even if the truth is difficult to confront.
I agree. Uncovering the full story, as painful as it may be, is essential for achieving justice and preventing similar tragedies in the future. The widow’s testimony is a valuable contribution to that process.
The testimony of the widow must have been incredibly difficult, but her willingness to recount the events is important for shedding light on this tragedy. I’m curious to learn more about the alleged conspirators and their motivations.
Yes, the widow’s account provides crucial firsthand insight into this complex case. The trial will be pivotal in uncovering the full details and understanding the broader context behind the assassination plot.
This is a truly tragic situation. The assassination of a head of state is always a serious matter, and the details of this case are particularly troubling. I hope the trial can uncover the full truth of what happened and bring some measure of justice for the victims and their families.
Indeed, such violence against a country’s leader is deeply concerning. The trial will be crucial in determining the full scope of the conspiracy and holding the responsible parties accountable.