(CMR) A retired Colombian army officer pleaded guilty in a U.S. court on Thursday, 7 September, to conspiring and supporting a plot to kill Haitian President Jovenel Moise.
Moïse was killed and his wife injured in an attack on his home in the nation's capital two years ago. His death led to the further destabilization of Haiti, which has been plagued with gang violence.
Reuters reported that signed U.S. court document revealed German Rivera, known as Colonel Mike, was part of the convoy that headed towards Moise's hillside Port-au-Prince residence on July 7, 2021, days after he relayed information that the plan was not to kidnap Moise but instead to kill him.
The document also says Rivera provided material support, training, and personnel to support Moise's kidnapping or murder. The case's criminal docket details three counts for materially supporting the plot and conspiracy.
Gangs have taken control of most of Haiti over the last few years, with leaders struggling to regain control. Recently, the United States ordered citizens and non-emergency staff at its embassy in Port-au-Prince to leave Haiti after an escalation in gang violence led dozens of Haitian families to seek refuge outside of the embassy.
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