4 Men Charged in 2021 Assassination of Haitian President Face Trial in South Florida

Jury selection begins Monday for the federal case against the alleged conspirators.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the U.S. federal trial of four men charged in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla and James Solages are accused of conspiring in South Florida to kidnap or kill Haiti's former leader, plus related charges. They face possible life sentences if convicted.

Why it matters

The assassination of President Moïse plunged Haiti into political turmoil and a deepening humanitarian crisis. This trial represents a key step in seeking justice and accountability for the high-profile killing, which involved a complex international conspiracy centered in South Florida.

The details

According to court documents, South Florida served as a central location for planning and financing the plot to oust Moïse and replace him with someone of the conspirators' choosing. The four defendants charged in this trial were principals of security companies and a lending group based in South Florida that were allegedly involved in the conspiracy.

  • Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • Moïse was assassinated on July 7, 2021.

The players

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz

One of the four men charged in the federal trial for the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Antonio Intriago

One of the four men charged in the federal trial for the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Walter Veintemilla

One of the four men charged in the federal trial for the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

James Solages

One of the four men charged in the federal trial for the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Jovenel Moïse

The former president of Haiti who was assassinated in 2021.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Christian Sanon, another defendant, to be tried separately due to medical reasons.

The takeaway

This high-profile trial in South Florida is a crucial step in seeking justice for the assassination of the Haitian president, which plunged the country into political and humanitarian crisis. The complex international conspiracy centered in the U.S. highlights the need for continued efforts to address instability and violence in Haiti.