[Global Issue+] The Mysterious Assassination of Haiti's President...The Veiled Behind-the-Scenes

Suspects Caught... But the Backers Remain in the Fog
US Fears Pro-China Regime May Rise Amid Political Instability

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the mastermind behind the assassination of the Haitian president remains elusive, political instability in Haiti is worsening. The late President Jovenel Mo?se, a former entrepreneur, was known to have many political and business rivals, making it difficult to identify those behind the assassination. Among the suspects are even U.S. citizens, raising suspicions of foreign interference.

Haiti’s political scene, which must hold parliamentary and presidential elections as well as a constitutional referendum all at once this September, has yet to reach an agreement on the appointment of an interim presidential authority. In the U.S., there are concerns that Haiti might strengthen friendly ties with China, similar to other Latin American countries like Cuba, taking advantage of the political turmoil.

Key Diplomatic Groups from the U.S. and EU Sideline Haiti’s Interim Prime Minister...Confusion Over Acting Authority

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According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 17th (local time), the so-called 'Core Group,' composed of ambassadors and representatives from major countries including the U.S., Germany, and the European Union (EU) in Haiti, issued a statement saying, "A consensual and inclusive government must be formed in Haiti," and "To this end, we strongly urge Ariel Henry, the designated prime minister, to continue his mandate to form such a government."

This completely ignores Claude Joseph, who has declared himself acting president of Haiti, raising concerns that political instability in Haiti will deepen. The diplomatic delegation’s recognition of Ariel Henry as acting authority stems from the fact that he was designated prime minister before President Mo?se’s assassination.

Claude Joseph had been serving as prime minister since April this year, but his term ended on the 7th, the day Mo?se was assassinated. Henry was scheduled to take office the next day after being sworn in by the parliament. However, amid the escalating political instability following the assassination, Joseph declared himself interim prime minister, took control of the cabinet, and declared martial law, intensifying the controversy. This has led to widespread speculation within Haiti’s political circles that Joseph might be behind the assassination.

Suspects Arrested, but Mastermind Possibly a Bankrupt Doctor in the U.S.?

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

What exacerbates Haiti’s political instability is that the mastermind behind President Mo?se’s assassination remains unknown. Although suspects have been arrested, no strong suspects have been identified as those orchestrating the attack. The Haitian police have pointed to a Haitian doctor residing in Florida as a mastermind, but he declared bankruptcy in 2013, raising many questions about how he could have financed dozens of professional mercenaries.

Other suspected masterminds are believed to include many figures from Haiti’s political and business sectors. President Mo?se was involved in numerous disputes over interests as an entrepreneur, running banana plantations and automobile companies, earning him the nickname "Banana Man" in Haiti. After entering politics, he was embroiled in numerous corruption scandals, creating many political enemies. As a result, the Haitian police have been unable to pinpoint the exact mastermind.

U.S. Concerned About Pro-China Regime Formation...Cautious on Troop Deployment

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The U.S. continues to debate the extent of its involvement in Haiti’s political instability. Although the Haitian government has requested troop deployment, no firm decision has been made yet. On the 15th, U.S. President Joe Biden stated at a press conference, "Sending U.S. troops to Haiti is not on the agenda at this time," but he did not categorically rule out deployment. According to CNN, the U.S. Department of Defense is still reviewing the possibility of sending troops.

Within the U.S., there are concerns that this turmoil could lead to the establishment of a pro-China regime in Haiti. Haiti is currently one of only 15 countries worldwide that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. In 2019, when the Chinese government requested diplomatic ties, Haiti rejected it outright. President Mo?se refused China’s demands to establish relations with China and sever ties with Taiwan, even visiting Taiwan to demonstrate the friendship between the two countries.

From the U.S. perspective, if a pro-China regime takes power in Haiti, which is geopolitically very close to the U.S., there are fears that, like Cuba in the past, China or Russia could intensify espionage and surveillance activities against the U.S. The political instability in Haiti is expected to become a stage for U.S.-China rivalry in the Caribbean Sea, and it is anticipated that it will take considerable time for Haiti to restore order.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.