Haiti President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated and his wife wounded in an attack at their home, the interim prime minister announced.
A group of unidentified gunmen attacked Moïse’s private residence overnight on Wednesday and shot him dead, interim Premier Claude Joseph said.
The news of the murder of Moise shocked countries across the globe, world powers inclusive.
What should interest many is that the assassination occurred days after one of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders announced the launch of a revolution.
Findings show that on June 23, Jimmy Cherizier, a.k.a. Barbecue, a former police officer, declared war against business and political elites in Haiti.
Cherizier is the head of G9. Last year, he formed a coalition of nine gangs which has been involved in battle with rival groups amid deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
During an address at La Saline, Cherizier, flanked by his foot soldiers, told the media that the G9 had become a force to deliver Haiti from the government and the opposition.
The revolutionary has been accused of massacres in recent years and was sanctioned in towards the end of 2020 by the United States government.
Cherizier openly admitted that his gang members spearheaded the recent looting at several stores in Port-au-Prince because of hunger.
“It is your money which is in banks, stores, supermarkets and dealerships. Go and get what is rightfully yours,” he charged citizens.
On July 7, Moise, a former plantation manager who referred to himself as “Banana Man” was murdered around 1 a.m.
Gunmen invaded his private residence overnight and shot him dead, according to a statement by Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph.
Joseph said a group of persons, including some speaking Spanish, carried out the deadly assault. The First Lady suffered bullet injuries and is being treated at a hospital.
Joseph, now in charge of Haiti, condemned the “inhumane and barbaric act”. The PM called for calm, adding that the police and the armed forces are in control of the situation.
Moise faced hostility to “illegal” continued stay in office. Opponents argued that his term ended on February 7, 2021, five years since his predecessor left office.
But the deceased insisted his term started one year after he assumed power. In the past 18 months, Moise ruled by decree after the legislative elections were delayed.
He was one of the only 11 nationally-elected officials in a country witnessing political crisis, uprising and increased milita activities including kidnappings for ransom, among others.
The late President worked with seven prime ministers in four years. The current and seventh, Joseph, was to be replaced this week after three months in the position.