Prosecutors say greed and power drove plot to kill Haiti’s president

Federal prosecutors told jurors the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s last elected president, Jovenel Moïse, was driven by greed, arrogance and a quest for power. Opening statements in Miami began for Arcangel Pretel Ortíz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla and James Solages, who are accused of conspiring in south Florida to kidnap or kill Moïse.

His death set off unprecedented turmoil in Haiti, where gang leaders have become more violent and empowered. Assistant US attorney Sean McLaughlin said the case was straightforward: the defendants sought to seize power and enrich themselves and showed little regard for the Republic of Haiti.

Defense lawyers said the investigation that started in Haiti was flawed and that their clients were manipulated into taking the blame for an internal coup, with Ortiz’s attorney warning that once a case starts on the wrong foot it becomes hard to trust what follows.

Haiti, Miami

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