Jovenel Moise assassination: Panama authorities arrest suspect in Haitian leader killing

More developments have been made regarding the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise. Authorities in Panama have recently arrested a former member of the Colombian military suspected to be involved in Moise’s killing.

Reuters reports Panama authorities have arrested Mario Antonio Palacious, a former member of the Colombian military that is also suspected in connection to Moise’s assassination back in July 2021, according to people familiar with the matter. Palacios was detained during a stopover of a flight from Jamaica to Colombia.

Haitian authorities have accused Palacios of forming part of the group that assassinated Moise in his home in July. First lady Martine Moise was also left wounded from the incident and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Palacious was asked to “voluntarily” board a flight to the US, according to a source from Colombian immigration.

Panama officials were also prepared to enforce an Interpol red notice issued by the United States in case Palacios resisted. This red notice is in addition to the notice issued by Haitian authorities. It remains to be determined if Palacios flew to the US, and authorities in Panama did not provide any comment.

The source shared a video to Reuters showing two immigration agents escorting a man, whose face was obscured, through an airport in Panama. The detention was also reported by the Colombian tv channel Noticias RNC.

Shortly after Moise’s death in July, Haitian police were able to crack down on four members of the suspected mercenary group, according to Express. Leon Charles, the Haitian police chief, said that officers shot four people over Moise’s assassination and that three officers who were held hostage by the gunmen were freed late. Two people were also arrested by the authorities in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince.

Haitian communications secretary Frantz Exantus also said at the time that the police arrested the Haitian leader’s suspected assailants. Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said that the police and the military have security under control. Joseph at the time also declared a state of emergency nationwide and called for calm.

The Haitian ambassador to the US Bocchit Edmond claimed the assassination of Moise was done by “foreign mercenaries and professional killers” and that the killing was “well-orchestrated.”