A “state of siege” has been declared by acting Haitian Prime Minister Claude Joseph
Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in a brazen attack at the Presidential residence Wednesday as per a statement from interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph. The acting Prime Minister called it a “hateful barbaric act.”
“I call on everyone to stay calm and I am very sorry to report to you the death of the president. Me and all the ministers have been working since the news broke and we want to assure you we will bring the killers of the president to justice. Please stay calm and let the authorities do their work. We don’t want the country to plunge into chaos. This is a very sad day for our nation and for our people,” Joseph said.
Moise was elected in 2017 after several rounds of run off voting which many said to be fraudulent. Haiti was scheduled to hold it’s general election later in 2021 to pick a new government, but with Moise’s assassination, the country’s democracy delves deeper into political chaos.
Haiti remains one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world and has never really recovered from the 2010 earthquake. Billions of dollars and aid were poured into the country to rebuild its infrastructure and provide medical assistance to the people of Haiti, however, the majority of the money went into the personal accounts of corrupt officials.
“I strongly condemn the appalling assassination of President Moïse this morning. Canada stands ready to support the people of Haiti and offer any assistance they need.” Said Prime Minister Trudeau
The assassination of Moise only adds to the complicated rebuilding a nation that was once the jewel of the Western Hemisphere. World leaders from around the world are condemning the assassination of Moise as there are still too many unanswered questions as to how this happened.
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