Leaders across the region have expressed shock and sadness over the assassination of Haitian President Jovonel Moïse, who was killed at his Port-au-Prince home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Newly appointed CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has weighed in on the tragedy in Haiti, calling the assassination of President Jovenel Moise “painful”.

Browne says the killing further complicates the jostling for power that has characterized the Haitian state and its future. He assured that CARICOM would do all in its power to support the member nation at this time.

“We continue to press for Haiti’s development and for it to overcome the challenges of the past that have imperiled Haiti’s development.” the CARICOM Chairman said.

Individual Member Nations Offer Condolences

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley offered condolences to the people of Haiti and the family of President Moïse, saying Trinidad and Tobago pledges to work together with other CARICOM member countries and international partners to support Haiti at this very difficult time.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the attack as atrocious. Mottley says violence should never be the answer, and called for all parties to press pause and work at all costs for peace and democracy in Haiti.

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, recounted his interactions with Moïse. “I have met and spoken with President Moïse many times and in all my interactions with him, particularly within the context of CARICOM, I found him to be a man committed to seeing Haiti take her place in the world.This heinous act is a stain on Haiti and a sorrowful time for the region. May God be a special covering over his family and over the people of Haiti during this dark time in the nation’s history,” Holness said.

Bahamas leader Dr. Hubert Minnis, in expressing his shock, noted that just a day ago at the 42nd CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, leaders discussed the ongoing political crisis in Haiti, with the hope of helping to find a resolve. 

NB: This is a developing story and will be updated constantly as regional leaders release their comments.