Haiti President Jovenel Moïse (Credit: Wikipedia Commons)

By Gary Raynaldo       DIPLOMATIC TIMES

U.S President Joe Biden condemned the shocking assassination of Haitian leader Jovenel Moïse. President Moïse was murdered early Wednesday by unknown armed assailants in his residence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Moïse’s wife was also seriously wounded in the attack.  Biden said the U.S. is ready to assist Haiti amid the killing of Moïse.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination of President Jovenel Moïse 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. The United States offers condolences to the people of Haiti, and we stand ready to assist as we continue to work for a safe and secure Haiti. ” 

-U.S. President Biden said in a statement July 07, 2021.s

State of Confusion, Chaos in Haiti after Assassination of Moïse

Haiti declared a state of emergency following the assassination, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph announced during a national address on state television Wednesday morning.  It is unclear who will replace Moïse. Haiti’s parliament and judiciary are dysfunctional.    Haiti, one of the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere,  has been plagued by political instability with groups of armed gangs controlling parts of the country and battling with police.  Moïse, 53,  was president of  Haiti since 2017 

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES  Condemns Assassination of President Moïse

“Having received the sad news of a dastardly gun attack which occurred on Wednesday 7th July 2021 at the private residence of the President of the Republic of Haiti, and which resulted in the assassination of His Excellency, President Jovenel Moïse, and serious injury to his wife, the First Lady of the Republic”,

DECLARES:

1. Its condolences and solidarity to the family, the Government and people of the Republic of Haiti for the attack on the life of the duly elected president of the Republic.

2. Its most vehement condemnation of the heinous crime committed against the life of the late president and its urgent call for a swift international investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

3. Its emphatic rejection of all forms of violence and intolerance, while calling on all sectors of government and society for peace and calm.

4. Its continued support for dialogue among the political parties, respect for the constitution of the Republic of Haiti and the democratic institutions of the State.

As a sign of mourning for the assassination of the President of #Haiti Jovenel Moise, by order of the Secretary General @Almagro_OEA2015 the flag of the #OAS flies at half mast pic.twitter.com/VfTtB7dfv4

— OAS (@OAS_official) July 7, 2021