China News Service, July 8th (Zhang Aolin) Late at night, the president of a country was assassinated in his residence. It sounds like a bridge in a spy war movie.
However, on July 7, local time, this scene actually happened in Haiti-the country's President Moise was attacked and killed in the presidential residence.
It is reported that the president died after 12 shots in the body.
What is even more confusing is that there were conflicts surrounding the release of the news before and after the incident. At one point, it was reported that the President's wife was dead. Later, it was said that she was seriously injured but was still alive and was sent to the United States for medical treatment. There is also news that the murderer claimed to be an American agent. , The United States has been busy stepping up to clarify relations.
The incident is full of doubts, and the situation in Haiti has fallen into chaos.
Data map: Haitian President Moise.
Suspicious!
The assassin claimed to be an American agent
The assassination took place at about 1:00 a.m. local time on the 7th. A group of unidentified personnel broke into Moiz’s residence and shot. Moiz suffered fatal injuries and died after being shot at least 12 times.
After the incident, the Haitian police immediately launched a hunt for the suspect.
Within 24 hours, the police announced that they had killed 4 "mercenaries" and detained 2 people.
However, the identity of the suspects and the envoy behind them have not yet been figured out.
According to the information currently available, two clues are worth paying attention to.
One is that the murderer speaks English and Spanish.
You know, Haiti is a French-speaking country, which is likely to prove that the murderer came from a country other than Haiti.
Second, the American "Miami Herald" reported after the incident that according to a video taken by nearby residents, the attacker claimed to be a DEA agent. In the video, a person with an American accent could be heard holding it. The loudspeaker spoke in English: "DEA action, everyone squat down. DEA action, everyone backs down, squat down."
However, the Haitian ambassador to the United States Edmund said that the Haitian government speculated that the murderer was a foreign hired person, but he was not really an agent of the US anti-drug agency.
Worry prospects
The situation in Haiti may increase chaos!
As one of the least developed countries, the political situation in Haiti is perennially unstable.
Moise, who was just assassinated, took office as president in February 2017 and has replaced seven prime ministers.
The current Prime Minister Joseph actually took office only in April 2021, and his position is still interim prime minister, playing the role of transitional guard.
Not only that, Haiti’s economic situation and social security have also deteriorated year after year. The vicious circle of survival has left a large number of people without shelter and can only live in tents for years.
While living conditions have deteriorated, gang violence and kidnapping and extortion cases have also surged.
It is hard to imagine that this country, now despised as "Shithole" by former US President Trump, got rid of colonial rule as early as 1804 and established the world's first black republic.
However, after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Haiti has not been able to seize the time window to develop well. This includes not only Haiti’s own problems, but also its strong neighbor, the United States.
In May 1915, a coup took place in Haiti and the domestic political situation was turbulent.
The U.S. looked at the timing and invaded Haiti two months later. This time it took 20 years.
During this period, customs, the main source of income for the Haitian government, was placed under the control of the United States.
Although the domestic political situation in Haiti was relatively stable for a period of time after the Second World War, since the end of the 1980s, Haiti has fallen into the "old look"-political change.
Between June and July 1994, the United States again invaded Haiti, and the US troops stationed in Haiti were as high as 20,000 at one time.
It can be said that whenever Haiti is caught in political turmoil, the United States is "just about to move" behind it.
It is no wonder that the news that the suspect claimed that the US agent committed the crime has caused another concern in the international community.
However, the White House quickly stepped up and clarified the relationship with the assassination. The White House Press Secretary Psaki indicated that the assassination was a "terrible attack, a tragic attack", and then said, "If an investigation is conducted, we will Way to help the Haitian people."
Haiti enters national mourning
The first lady "resurrected from the dead"?
As far as a country is concerned, the killing of the president is not trivial.
On July 7, local time, Haiti’s Prime Minister Joseph announced that Haiti has entered a state of martial law and will enter a national mourning period for 15 days, from July 8 to 22.
During this period, national flags are lowered to mourning, entertainment venues are closed, and radio and television programs must conform to the theme of mourning day.
Such a major event as the president's assassination inevitably caused confusion on the scene.
On the 7th local time, Haiti’s ambassador to the United States, Edmund, said that the first lady of Haiti, Mattie Moiz, who had been confirmed dead before, is still alive, but in critical condition and is currently being sent to Miami for treatment.
The chief of the Haitian National Police, Leon Charles, said that the Haitian police are launching operations in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The truth of this assassination may slowly surface as the suspect is arrested and the investigation proceeds.
However, Haiti still has a long way to go before it seeks a secure future.
Haiti has no diplomatic relations with China
Chinese consular reminder
Haiti has no diplomatic relations with China.
The website of the China-Haiti Trade Development Office issued a consular reminder on the 7th that Haitian President Moise was attacked and killed by unidentified armed men in his apartment. The police have not yet determined the identity of the suspect.
The Chinese Commercial Agency in Haiti urged Chinese overseas Chinese to pay close attention to the local security situation, strengthen precautions, and plan travel carefully.
If you need help in an emergency, please call the consular insurance number of the Commercial Agency in Haiti: +50937132489/+50938555867.
Background information
State of Haiti
The Republic of Haiti is located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea, with an area of 27,800 square kilometers and its capital, Port-au-Prince;
Haiti has a population of 11.5 million (2020), 95% of whom are black;
There are more than one hundred legally registered political parties in Haiti, and the ruling party is called the "skinhead party."
On November 20, 2016, the "skinhead" candidate Moise won the general election. He assumed the post of President of Haiti on February 7, 2017 until he died in an attack;
The president of Haiti has a five-year term without re-election, and the term of office shall not exceed two terms.
Amendments to the constitution require the approval of two-thirds of each of the Senate and the House of Representatives.