Caribbean leaders pay tribute to fallen Haitian President Jovenel Moïse

Caribbean leaders have paid tribute to fallen Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was yesterday assassinated by unknown attackers in his private residence.

Jamaica:

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday said, “this morning, the world awoke to the shocking and tragic news of the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse.”

Remembering with the meeting of Haitian president, the Jamaican prime minister said: “I have met and spoken with President Moïse several 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.”

Barbados:

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley said, “The assassination of President Moïse of Haiti is an atrocious act which Barbados vehemently condemns. Violence can never be a solution, and must be rejected in all circumstances.” She added, “Barbados urges all to pause and work at all costs for peace.”

Also, she noted that the Haitian people deserve this. It is the necessary foundation for their stability and for democracy to emerge to shield them against the many vagaries they face, man-made and otherwise.

Dominica:

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit tweeted, “I am saddened by the death of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated by attackers in his private residence overnight. The government and people of Dominica extend condolences to the people of #Haiti.”

Grenada:

Prime Minister of Grenada Keith Mitchell made his statement through his official social media account:

This morning, the Caribbean region and world awoke to reports of the assassination of the Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse, and the injuries sustained by his wife, First Lady Martine.

The government and people of Grenada are indeed shocked by this act of violence perpetrated against a head of state, and we express our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

For us in Grenada, we are well aware of the significant impact on a country, when it loses its leader to violence, and we empathise with all concerned. It is our fervent hope that Haiti will soon experience a return to peace and stability.

As a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a grouping to which Haiti also belongs, Grenada will continue to engage with our Caribbean neighbours, to do whatever we can in bringing resolution to the issues that confront our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

St. Lucia:

St. Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said, “on behalf of the government and people of St. Lucia, I convey our deepest sympathies to Haiti. We condemn the heinous assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and all acts of violence. We pray for stability plus peace as the region mourns his passing.”