Five Men Charged in 2021 Assassination of Haitian President Face Jury Selection

Jury selection begins in U.S. federal trial of individuals accused of conspiring to kill Haiti's former leader

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the U.S. federal trial of five men charged in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The defendants - Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, Christian Sanon, and James Solages - are accused of conspiring in South Florida to kidnap or kill Haiti's former president. They face possible life sentences and have all pleaded not guilty.

Why it matters

The assassination of President Moïse in 2021 plunged Haiti into political turmoil and instability. This trial represents an effort by U.S. authorities to hold those responsible accountable for the brazen killing, which involved foreign mercenaries and a complex conspiracy originating in South Florida.

The details

According to court documents, the South Florida-based companies Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy, Counter Terrorist Unit Security, and Worldwide Capital Lending Group were central to planning and financing the plot to oust Moïse and replace him with someone of the conspirators' choosing. The defendants met in South Florida in April 2021 and agreed that, once in power, the conspirators would award contracts to the security firms for infrastructure projects, security forces, and military equipment.

  • Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • The trial was previously set for last year but was delayed due to discovery challenges and the large volume of evidence.
  • Five others have already pleaded guilty in the conspiracy and are serving life sentences.
  • A sixth person was sentenced to nine years behind bars after pleading guilty to providing body armor to the conspirators.

The players

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz

One of the five men charged in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Antonio Intriago

One of the five men charged in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Walter Veintemilla

One of the five men charged in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Christian Sanon

A dual Haitian-American citizen who investigators say was initially favored by the conspirators to replace Moïse as president.

James Solages

A CTU representative in Haiti who coordinated with Sanon and others, according to officials.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the defendants' bail status as the trial proceeds.

The takeaway

This trial represents a significant step in the ongoing effort to bring those responsible for the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse to justice, despite the challenges posed by the country's political instability and judicial system.