Four Men Charged in 2021 Assassination of Haitian President Face Trial

Jury selection begins Monday in U.S. federal trial for alleged conspirators in Jovenel Moïse's killing

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. The defendants - 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 in 2021 plunged Haiti into political turmoil, with ongoing investigations and prosecutions both in the U.S. and Haiti. This trial represents a key step in holding those responsible accountable for the brazen killing that shocked the nation.

The details

According to court documents, the four defendants were involved in planning and financing the plot to oust Moïse and replace him with someone of the conspirators' choosing. Ortiz and Intriago were principals of Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Counter Terrorist Unit Security, while Veintemilla was a principal of Worldwide Capital Lending Group, both based in South Florida. The conspirators met in South Florida in April 2021 and agreed that, once in power, a dual Haitian-American citizen named Christian Sanon would award contracts to their companies.

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

The players

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz

One of the four defendants charged in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Antonio Intriago

One of the four defendants charged in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Walter Veintemilla

One of the four defendants charged in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

James Solages

One of the four defendants charged in the 2021 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 a later date for a separate trial for defendant Christian Sanon, whose case was severed from the others due to medical reasons.

The takeaway

The trial of these four defendants represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the assassination of President Moïse accountable. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for Haiti's political stability and the rule of law in the country.