U.S. Urges Calm in Haiti Following Moise Assassination: State Department

Haitian authorities have made more arrests in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, raiding Taiwan's Embassy where several suspects are believed to have sought refuge, while also detaining two Haitian-Americans and several former Colombian soldiers allegedly tied to the plot.

In all, 17 suspects have been detained and another eight are being sought, according to investigators.

Moïse's brazen killing at his home in an attack before dawn Wednesday that also seriously wounded his wife stunned a nation already reeling from poverty, widespread violence and political instability.

Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who assumed leadership with the backing of police and the military, declared a two-week "state of siege," and asked people to return to work and reopen businesses that were shut down in normally bustling Port-au-Prince. He also ordered the international airport to reopen.

The U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said, "We continue to urge Haitian government officials and political stakeholders to dialog in the best interest of the Haitian people and to refrain from violence."

"We've remained in regular contact with Haitian officials, including the investigative authorities, to discuss how the United States can assist going forward." Price said.

Price acknowledged having spoken to Claude Joseph saying Joseph was "the incumbent" at the time of the assassination and that the United States would continue to work with him.

But Price added that the United States had also "been in contact with" Ariel Henry, who is the Prime Minister designate.

The State Department would not comment on two suspects arrested that are said to be Haitian-Americans.

Colombia's government said it had been asked by Haiti about six of the suspects, including two of the three killed, and had determined they were retired members of its army. It offered its full cooperation.

U.S.-trained Colombian soldiers are heavily recruited by private security firms in global conflict zones because of their experience in a decades-long war against leftist rebels and powerful drug cartels.

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[allenwalker]

I think Haiti listening to us passed many years ago. Very wealthy past politicians have been taking advantage of them long enough.

[pittuk]

deja vu!
"Following the assassination of the Haitian President in July of 1915, President Woodrow Wilson sent the United States Marines into Haiti to restore order and maintain political and economic stability in the Caribbean. This occupation continued until 1934."

btw this is when the Marines had to build the first road in Haiti

[TheArchitectOfDreams]

Remain calm, from the same folks who created it.

[techstormster]

Why was the Haitian government working so closely with United States Drug Enforcement Agency that these people were allowed to walk though security?

[espltd]

The US should urge calm in there own inner city's.

[rosmundsen]

Please, Please, Please. No USA troops in Haiti.

[dagenius]

Like anybody listens to what this current administration “urges”

[james]

Send down Killary…Haiti needs her and slick Willie💯👍🏽

[stevenkwiatkoske]

The United States needs to stay the hell out of this. Maybe they should worry about what is happening in the United States.

[femalelionking]

Us stay out of other countries business..this don't have anything to do with us period

[justinb]

“Relevant stakeholders” is the big keyword here. That is the only reason the US is getting involved. It’s economics, not this “for the people” nonsense. Since when do we care about democracy in Latin America?

[jimbrewer]

reminds me of the scene in Naked Gun when everything in the back drop is exploding and on fire and hes just like "everyone stay calm, we have this under control"

[metningsniva]

Looks like walnut sauce is back on the menu.

I'm sure the Podesta brothers are thrilled.

[ItsMadRiv]

What support

If support was a real thing poor countries would not exist

[Burns]

Dude literally said stake holders ..hhmmm so there is a higher power to answer to behide that Haitian 🤷🏻‍♂️😂🥷

[redwind]

I'm from the government, I am here to help!

[timwhite]

isn't that the pot calling the kettle black. i think thats how it goes. lol

[VM-ytfj]

They said it's not them this time. "this time", oh wait...no... I'm sure the state is behind that shit.

[somethingsomethang]

A few democrats were arrested at part of the assassination plot

[danielgriffin]

They will be coming to our southern border soon . I mean our welcoming center soon.