WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. authorities have charged a former Colombian military officer, Mario Palacios, with conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the U.S. in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.
While Haiti arrested dozens of people following the July murder of Moise, no one has been charged with the crime.
In a statement, the U.S. Justice Department said Palacios, the first to be charged for the crime, was part of a conspiracy that began as a plot to kidnap Moise, but evolved into an assassination plot.
“The complaint affidavit alleges that, on 7th July, 2021, Palacios and others entered the president’s residence in Haiti with the intent and purpose of killing President Moise, and in fact the president was killed,” it stated.
Palacios was also charged with “providing material support resulting in death.”
Meanwhile, Palacios has made an initial appearance in a U.S. District Court in Miami, stating, in Spanish via an interpreter, that he does not know anyone in the U.S. and his only income is a Colombian military pension worth some $375 per month.
According to an August report on the murder by the Haitian National Police, Palacios was part of a five-man group known as the “Delta Team.” The other four members of that group are in Haitian custody.
“Prime Minister Ariel Henry wants justice to prevail in the villainous assassination of Jovenel Moise,” said a spokesman for Henry’s office.
Palacios was detained in Jamaica in October and was to be deported to Colombia, but the U.S. Justice Department said that during a layover in Panama Palacios agreed to travel to the U.S. instead.
