A jury in the US state of Florida on Friday found four men guilty of conspiracy to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The South Florida area has become a major planning and financing center for a plot to overthrow and replace the president, US prosecutors say. TASR informs about it based on the report of the AP agency.
Defendants Arcangelo Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla and James Solages found guilty by jury of conspiracy to kill or kidnap the elected Haitian leader and to provide material support to carry out the plan. At the same time, according to her, they are guilty of violating the American Neutrality Act and they face life imprisonment.
Moise was murdered on July 7, 2021, when about two dozen foreign mercenaries, mostly from Colombia, attacked his home near Port-au-Prince. The politician’s wife was injured during the attack and was taken to the US, where she underwent treatment.
The trial began almost two months ago in Miami. The killing led to unprecedented unrest in the Caribbean nation, where gang leaders have become increasingly violent and powerful. AP writes.
Ortiz and Intriago served as directors of security firms collectively known by the acronym CTU. Veintemilla was a director of the capital lending group, both companies based in South Florida.
Solages was the CTU representative in Haiti, coordinating with Christian Sanon, Moise’s potential replacement, and others. Sanon will be tried at a later date. At least five others pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and are serving life sentences.
