A federal jury in Miami has convicted four men for their roles in the July 7, 2021, assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
The United States Department of Justice said Friday that Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages were convicted on multiple charges linked to the conspiracy to overthrow and assassinate the Haitian leader.
The convictions include conspiracy to provide material support for acts resulting in death, conspiracy to kill and kidnap a person outside the United States, conspiracy to commit offences against the United States, and expedition against a friendly nation. Intriago was also convicted on additional charges related to smuggling goods from the United States and submitting false export information.
According to prosecutors, the defendants conspired to replace Moïse with a handpicked successor in order to secure lucrative government contracts in Haiti.
“This verdict delivers justice for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and holds accountable those who helped turn South Florida into a staging ground for a deadly foreign plot,” said Jason A. Reding Quiñones.
Court records and evidence presented during trial showed that the conspiracy began in early 2021 and involved the recruitment of allies in the United States, Colombia and Haiti, including 22 former Colombian soldiers and Haitian gang leaders.
The Justice Department said the conspirators developed multiple plans between April and July 2021 to kidnap or kill Moïse. One failed plan involved abducting him at his sister’s home and forcing him to resign after drugging him. Another focused on kidnapping him upon his return from an international trip in June 2021.
When those efforts failed, prosecutors said the group decided to launch a direct attack on the president’s residence.
On July 7, 2021, Solages and a team of Colombian mercenaries carried out the assault on Moïse’s home with support from Haitian accomplices.
During the attack, former Colombian special forces soldiers stormed the residence, fatally shooting Moïse in his bedroom and seriously wounding First Lady Martine Moïse.
Trial evidence showed that bullets recovered from both President Moïse and the First Lady matched a rifle used by members of the Colombian assault team.
Federal prosecutors said extensive digital communications presented at trial demonstrated that the defendants spent months coordinating plans to kidnap or kill the Haitian president.
The court heard that Veintemilla played a major role in financing the operation through a US$175,000 loan agreement funded with proceeds tied to CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Pretel Ortiz, who allegedly referred to himself as “Colonel Gabriel” and wore fake U.S. military-style uniforms and insignia, was accused of directing tactical operations and coordinating with the Colombian mercenaries.
Intriago was described as handling payroll, equipment and logistical support, including the smuggling of bulletproof vests and tactical gear from Miami to Haiti before the assassination.
Solages, prosecutors said, acted as the main liaison in Haiti, coordinating with gang leaders, obtaining weapons and conducting surveillance on Moïse’s residence.
All four men face maximum sentences of life imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra after consideration of federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from several U.S. government agencies.
