July 08, 2021 08:07
Haiti is under a state of siege, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph announced during a national address on state television Wednesday morning.
The announcement came hours after President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by a group of unknown gunmen at his private residence in Pelerin, a wealthy suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Prime Minister Joseph said he is in charge of the country and has imposed martial law, as Haiti's borders and its main airport closed.
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attack and expressed condolences in a statement issued by the White House. "We condemn this heinous act, and I am sending my sincere wishes for First Lady Moïse's recovery. The United States offers condolences to the people of Haiti, and we stand ready to assist as we continue to work for a safe and secure Haiti," the statement said.