Jury Selection Begins for 5 Charged in 2021 Assassination of Haitian President

The federal trial in South Florida involves alleged conspirators in the killing of Jovenel Moïse.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Jury selection is set to begin on Monday 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 leader, as well as related charges. They face possible life sentences and have all pleaded not guilty.

Why it matters

The assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 was a major political crisis that destabilized the country. This trial in the U.S. is a key part of the ongoing investigation into the conspiracy behind the killing, which involved both foreign mercenaries and Haitian-American citizens.

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 five defendants on trial were principals of security companies and a lending group based in South Florida that were allegedly involved in the conspiracy. They met in South Florida in April 2021 and agreed that, once in power, one of the conspirators would award contracts to their companies.

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

The players

Arcangel Pretel Ortiz

One of the five defendants charged in the conspiracy to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Antonio Intriago

One of the five defendants charged in the conspiracy to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Walter Veintemilla

One of the five defendants charged in the conspiracy to assassinate 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 of Haiti.

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 Tuesday whether or not to allow the defendants out on bail.

The takeaway

This trial is a critical step in unraveling the complex conspiracy behind the assassination of the Haitian president, which involved both foreign mercenaries and Haitian-American citizens. The outcome could have significant implications for the ongoing political and security challenges facing Haiti.