A former Haitian Ministry of Justice employee, Joseph Badio, and 17 other defendants were brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid in Miami on Monday. The defendants, described by prosecutors as Colombian mercenaries, face charges stemming from the July 7, 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
Charges and alleged scheme
According to the indictment, Badio posed as a U.S. drug agent and conspired to finance the plot using money diverted from U.S. pandemic‑relief programs intended to help businesses. The indictment lists 30 individuals charged, including Palm Beach County resident Christian Sanon, a dual Haitian‑American citizen who had previously indicated an ambition to become Haiti’s president.
Background on the assassination
Moïse was shot 12 times when a group of roughly two dozen foreign mercenaries, primarily from Colombia, stormed his private residence near Port‑au‑Prince. His wife, Martine Moïse, was also wounded. The killing sparked a series of investigations; a 2025 appeal by Haitian officials asked the United States and Canada for assistance after a local appellate court ordered a new inquiry.
Haiti has been without a president for five years, and the nation continues to grapple with rampant gang violence. The United Nations reports more than 3,000 killings by June 2026 and roughly 1.5 million displaced persons.
Legal proceedings
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones described the assassination as a profit‑driven crime, noting that the conspirators sought illicit financial opportunities and business contracts. The court assigned counsel to each defendant, though Badio’s temporary lawyer could not be reached for comment at the time of the hearing.
Judge Reid set additional court dates and ordered that each defendant receive legal representation. So far, at least nine individuals linked to the plot have been convicted through trial or guilty pleas.
Implications for Haiti and U.S. cooperation
The case underscores ongoing U.S. cooperation with Haitian authorities in pursuing accountability for the 2021 murder. Haitian officials have repeatedly faced threats, leading to resignations of judges and the seizure of the downtown Port‑au‑Prince courthouse by gangs, which has hampered domestic investigations.
U.S. officials say the indictment demonstrates a commitment to using federal resources to combat foreign‑linked violent plots that threaten regional stability.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
