Deadly violence erupts in Haiti after president’s assassination

The Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated (Pic: Getty)

Deadly violence has erupted on the streets of Haiti following the assassination of the country’s president.

Overnight, a deadly gun battle between police and the men suspected of killing president Jovenel Moïse engulfed the capital city Port-au-Prince.

Police chief Léon Charles said four suspects had been killed and two have been detained but a manhunt continues for remaining suspects.

He addressed the fears of more violence and urged residents to remain at home and indoors for their own safety.

“They will be killed or captured,” the police chief said.

In a televised briefing late on Wednesday, he reiterated the search was not over and the police will find the perpetrators.

He said: “The police is still in combat with the assailants.”

Haitian president, Mr Moïse, 53, was fatally shot at his home in the hills of Port-au-Prince early on Wednesday.

His wife, Martine Moïse, 47, was also injured when attackers stormed their home.

Officials have said investigations are under way to establish how heavily armed assassins managed to raid the president’s home.

Mr Moïse was shot multiple times and died at the scene.

According to a report in the Novelist newspaper, the president’s body had a total of 12 bullet wounds.

The first lady has been flown to Florida on a Trinity Air Ambulance and landed at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at on Wednesday afternoon, according to Local 10 News.

She is said to be in a critical but stable condition, after suffering multiple injuries during the raid.

There was concern for the couple’s three children, Jomarlie, Jovenel Jr and Joverlein, but government officials have reported they in a “safe location”.

The acting prime minister, Claude Joseph, has declared a two-week state of emergency on the Caribbean island and urged the public to remain calm.

Mr Joseph described the attackers “foreigners who spoke English and Spanish.”

Tributes have been paid to the president from neighbouring Caribbean countries.

In a statement, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne who is also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said: “I extend the condolences of my Government and the Governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to the Haitian people, on the assassination of the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise.

“All of CARICOM feel the pain which has been inflicted on Haiti by this killing.

Mr Brown went on to say Haiti was embraced by CARICOM because of its instrumental role in the freedom and liberation of the Caribbean.

He said: “Haiti was embraced by CARICOM because of the historic role played by its proud people in 1804, declaring itself a sovereign state, where slavery was brought to an immediate end.”

He said the Caribbean remained committed to supporting Haiti not only at this difficult time, but in the future.

“My Government and the Governments of the CARICOM decry the violence that has engulfed our sister-CARICOM state. 

“CARICOM will continue to work in close co-operation with the Haitian people, the United Nations, Organisation of American States and the governments of France and the United States, in bringing a reasonable settlement of the state of uncertainty and instability that now threaten the peace and security in Haiti and our Community as a whole. 

“We continue to press for Haiti’s development and for it to overcome the challenges of the past that have imperilled Haiti’s development.”

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