PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Nineteen suspects implicated in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 arrived at a courthouse on Monday, only to have their hearing postponed once again.
The group, consisting of 17 former Colombian soldiers and two Haitians, awaited their fate in a private residence due to a surge in gang violence that had forced the closure of the Court of Appeals in downtown Port-au-Prince.
Delays and Legal Uncertainty
The suspects had hoped for a resolution during this latest court appearance, but after several hours of waiting, a judge ordered the case to be postponed until later this month for reasons that remain unclear.
“We hoped for the release of our clients,” stated Nathalie Delisca, the attorney representing the Colombian detainees.
She refrained from disclosing their current detention location, highlighting concerns about their safety and well-being.
The backdrop of this legal drama includes significant unrest in Haiti, where gangs raided the country’s largest prisons nearly a year ago, releasing thousands of inmates—including those held in connection with the Moïse assassination.
Delisca emphasized that her clients did not attempt to escape during the riots because they maintain their innocence regarding the president’s killing.
Key Figures in the Case
Among those present at Monday’s hearing were Macky Kessa, former mayor of Jacmel, and Joseph Badio, a former official with Haiti’s Ministry of Justice who was dismissed for alleged ethical violations prior to the assassination.
Badio, considered one of the main suspects, was arrested in October 2023 and appeared in court limping with assistance from Kessa. His health condition remains undisclosed.
Previously, attorneys for the Colombian suspects had criticized the dire conditions at the National Penitentiary, reporting insufficient food and water.
However, those who attended court on Monday appeared to be in good health. In December, Colombia’s consulate in Port-au-Prince noted that the suspects are now being held under more dignified conditions at an undisclosed location.
International Developments
While proceedings in Haiti have stalled, U.S. authorities have made significant progress in prosecuting other individuals linked to Moïse’s assassination.
In December 2023, former Haitian senator John Joel Joseph received a life sentence for conspiring to kill Moïse at his residence on July 7, 2021.
Other individuals sentenced to life include Colombian army officer Germán Alejandro Rivera García, Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar, and former U.S. government informant Joseph Vincent.
Overall, more than 40 suspects have been arrested in connection with Moïse’s assassination; however, none have yet faced trial in Haiti.
A Nation in Turmoil
The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse has plunged Haiti into deeper political turmoil, exacerbating existing crises and raising questions about justice and accountability.
As legal proceedings continue to unfold amid rampant gang violence and political instability, many are left wondering when—or if—those responsible for this high-profile crime will finally be brought to justice.
The situation remains fluid as both local and international communities watch closely for developments in this complex case.
