Haitia First Lady Martine Moïse at a hospital in Florida receiving care. Photo Credit: MARTINE MOÏSE, VIA TWITTER
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC –The wife of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moise on Wednesday said the pain of her husband's death “will never pass,” as she thanked all those who have been praying for her improved health.
Mr. Moise was shot and killed last week Wednesday when armed gunmen stormed his private residence on a hill overlooking the capital. He sustained at least 12 bullets and his wife, First Lady Martine Moïse who was seriously injured during the shootings, was flown to Miami for treatment.
“Thank you to all the people who helped me, prayed I find life. Because all the time you’re in the hospital your life is in the hands of God and the doctors. Me, Martine Moïse, I do not yet believe that my husband left like that, in front of my eyes without saying a last word to me. This pain will never pass,” she said in posts on social media.
“Thank you for the team of guardian angels who helped me through this terrible time. With your gentle touch, kindness and care, I was able to hold on. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
The message that was accompanied by a picture of her in the hospital where she is recovering.
Haitian authorities have said an armed commando of 28 men – 26 Colombians and two Haitian-Americans – stormed the couple's home and opened fire. Seventeen people have been arrested so far and at least three suspects were killed, but no motive has been made public.
Earlier this week, Haitian police that announced a Florida-based doctor had been arrested in connection with the killing.
Haiti’s national police chief, Léon Charles, said Christian Emmanuel Sanon is the third U.S.-based individual tied to the assassination.
Haiti has also issued a wanted bulletin for a former Colombian military officer, whom it claims had traveled to the country at least one day before the assassination of the president.
Media reports Thursday said that Jean Laguel Civil, the security coordinator for Mr. Moïse and Inspector Paul Eddy Amazan, head of the security team, were due to have met with the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince, BedFord Claude as part of the investigation into the assassination.
The reports said that Dimitri Hérard, head of the General Security Unit of the National Palace (USGPN) had also been expected to be interviewed at the Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the United States said it was still considering a request by Haiti to send troops to protect key infrastructure in the French-speaking Caribbean country.
“We continue to evaluate the Haitians, the Haitian government’s request for assistance to determine how best the United States can address them,” said Ned Price, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State.
“After close consultations, including in the context of the interagency delegation that was in Port-au-Prince on Sunday, we believe our focus should be assisting the Haitian government with navigating the investigation into the assassination of President Moise, determining who is culpable, supporting the Haitian government as it seeks justice in this case,” he added.
“Of course, the situation on the ground is evolving rapidly, and we continue to be in close contact with our Haitian partners about how we can best assist,” Mr. Price said, adding that the U.S. Department of Justice, together with the Department of Homeland Security, is providing assistance to Haitian authorities.
Mr. Price said the Department of Justice will continue to support Haitian authorities in their review of the facts and the circumstances surrounding Mr. Moïse’s assassination.
“We are also taking a close look at the Haitian Government’s needs in the context of critical infrastructure and how the United States might be able to assist the Haitian Government in protecting that critical infrastructure,” he said.
In response to a request from the Haitian government and building on longstanding cooperation, Mr. Price disclosed the Department of State is deploying an advisor to the Haitian National Police (HNP) Judicial Police and bringing on board an advisor to the HNP Inspector General.
He said the advisor to the HNP Judicial Police will provide technical assistance “to build the capacity of the Haitian National Police to investigate and to address serious crimes.”
The State Department spokesman said the advisor to the police’s inspector general will help the HNP improve its capacity to address allegations of corruption, of human rights abuses and police misconduct.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also disclosed that the US has “a very large diplomatic presence on the ground” in Haiti.
“Our ambassador [Michele] Sison has been very involved and deeply engaged in efforts on the ground,” she said, adding “we have more than 100 American citizens who are working on the ground.
“We’ve also responded to a number of their specific requests in terms of personnel and aid and assistance on the law enforcement front as they are working to move the investigation forward," Ms. Psaki added. "In terms of additional considerations or considerations of requests for troops, that is still an ongoing review."
