From NPR · · 2m
18 suspects in Haiti president's killing extradited to U.S.
Five years after Jovenel Moïse's assassination, suspects face trial in Florida as Haiti's judicial system struggles.
In brief
Five years after Jovenel Moïse's assassination, suspects face trial in Florida as Haiti's judicial system struggles. Eighteen suspects arrested for the 2021 killing of Haiti's president are being extradited to the U.S. for trial, ending a stalled judicial process in Haiti marked by gang violence, judge resignations…
18 suspects extradited for Moïse killing
Eighteen people arrested for the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse are being extradited to the U.S. to face trial in Florida, ending a stalled judicial process in Haiti.
Five years of delays in Haiti
Haiti's judicial system struggled with gang violence, judge resignations and prison takeovers. In October 2025, justice officials asked the U.S. and Canada for help after a third investigation was ordered.
Who are the suspects
The group includes 17 Colombian soldiers and Joseph Badio, a former Haiti Ministry of Justice employee considered the key suspect. Badio was arrested in October 2023 after being on the run for over two years.
Colombians claim they were coerced
The Colombian soldiers have testified they were beaten, threatened with death and forced to sign documents in a language they don't understand. Defense attorneys say Badio was the mastermind.
Families caught off guard
Relatives of the Colombian suspects said the extradition was sudden and unexpected. Diana Marcela Arbeláez Llano, wife of one suspect, said the detained Colombians are very sick from inhumane prison conditions.
“We never imagined that the United States would have taken them so suddenly.”
U.S. prosecutions already underway
In May, a Florida jury convicted four men of conspiring to kill or kidnap Haiti's leader. At least five others have pleaded guilty and are serving life sentences.
The alleged conspiracy plan
Authorities say Haitian-American Christian Sanon was picked to replace Moïse. Once in power, he would award contracts to CTU for infrastructure and military equipment, with South Florida businessmen as principals.
30 people indicted, more arrests expected
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said 30 people have been indicted and the investigation continues. Key fugitives still at large include Dimitri Hérard, former head of security at Haiti's National Palace.
“We will follow the evidence wherever it leads, to those who financed it, facilitated it, supported it or committed crimes to make it possible.”
The headline
Eighteen suspects arrested for the 2021 killing of Haiti's president are being extradited to the U.S. for trial, ending a stalled judicial process in Haiti marked by gang violence, judge resignations, and prison takeovers.
