Eighteen suspects in the July 7, 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse have been extradited from Haiti to the United States to face trial in Florida, U.S. officials confirmed on Sunday. The suspects were transported via military aircraft to the Southern District of Florida, where they will stand trial for their alleged roles in the killing.
Federal prosecutors and FBI officials described the extradition as a major step in accountability for the assassination, which shocked Haiti and drew international attention. Jason Reding Quiñones, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, stated that the move marks the next phase in pursuing justice for Moïse’s death, emphasizing that the investigation will continue to identify all individuals involved.
Brett Skiles, an FBI special agent, highlighted the multi-national nature of the arrests, noting that the operation underscored the FBI’s commitment to bringing all participants to justice. Quiñones added that 30 suspects have been indicted in connection with the killing, with 18 now in U.S. custody and the remaining suspects still facing proceedings in Haiti.
Who Are the Suspects and What Do We Know?
The extradited group includes more than a dozen Colombian soldiers, a former Haitian police officer, and a former Haitian Ministry of Justice employee who worked in an anti-corruption unit, according to Quiñones. The suspects were part of a military-trained mercenary group that stormed Moïse’s private residence in Port-au-Prince during the early hours of July 7, 2021. Moïse, then 53, was fatally shot, and his security detail did not intervene.
Quiñones did not name the extradited individuals but confirmed that those still in Haiti awaiting trial include additional Colombian nationals and Haitian officials. The U.S. Attorney’s office has previously identified some of the accused, including Arcángel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages, all of whom have either been convicted or pleaded guilty in U.S. courts. Five others have already received life sentences.
Legal Proceedings and Accountability Efforts
The extradition follows years of legal proceedings in Haiti, where the judicial process has faced delays and challenges. The U.S. has taken a leading role in prosecuting suspects, with multiple arrests occurring in both the U.S. and abroad. Quiñones stated that the investigation remains ongoing, with efforts to trace the financing, facilitation, and support networks behind the assassination.
In May 2025, a Florida jury convicted four men for their roles in the killing, while five others had previously pleaded guilty and received life sentences. Prosecutors have emphasized that the case is not yet closed, as they pursue additional individuals linked to the plot.
Broader Implications for Haiti and International Justice
The assassination of Moïse plunged Haiti into deeper political instability, exacerbating a crisis that has persisted since his death. The case has drawn scrutiny over the involvement of foreign mercenaries and the vulnerabilities in Haiti’s security apparatus. U.S. officials have framed the extradition as part of a broader effort to hold accountable those responsible for destabilizing Haiti’s democratic institutions.
The trial in Florida is expected to address the logistical and financial networks that enabled the assassination, with prosecutors vowing to follow the evidence wherever it leads. The case also raises questions about the role of international actors in Haiti’s ongoing turmoil, as well as the effectiveness of judicial cooperation between Haiti and foreign governments.