Acting PM Claude Joseph Announces Assassination of Haiti President Jovenel Moise

The acting Prime Minister of Haiti ‘Claude Joseph’ announced on Wednesday that the country's president ‘Jovenel Moise’ was killed whereas his wife was injured in an armed attack at their home.

Claude Joseph stated that now, he was in charge of the country and advised the people to remain calm while insisting on the army and police to ensure the population's safety.

According to Joseph, "The president was assassinated by foreigners who know English and Spanish."

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, had been under ‘Moise’ ruling, by decree, following the delayed legislative elections due in 2018 owing to disputes, including on when his term ends.

Besides the political crisis, kidnappings for ransom have also raised in recent months, which further reflects the increasing influence of armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.

Haiti also faces recurrent natural disasters besides chronic poverty.

The president faced excessive opposition from many populations that considered his mandate illegal, and he churned through a series of seven prime ministers in four years. Recently, Joseph was supposed to be replaced in the post this week after only three months.

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Besides presidential, local, and legislative elections, Haiti was expected to have a constitutional referendum in September which was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.