Report: Suspects in Haitian president's assassination once worked as U.S. law enforcement informants


Several of the suspects arrested in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse previously worked as informants for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI, people briefed on the matter told CNN.
In a statement, the DEA told CNN that at least one of the men arrested in Haiti worked "at times" as a "confidential source," and following Moïse's assassination, "the suspect reached out to his contacts at the DEA. A DEA official assigned to Haiti urged the suspect to surrender to local authorities and, along with a U.S. State Department official, provided information to the Haitian government that assisted in the surrender and arrest of the suspect and one other individual."
It has been reported that when the gunmen who assassinated Moïse last Wednesday entered his home, some shouted "DEA," and the agency told CNN that none of the attackers were working on behalf of the DEA. Another suspect was an informant for the FBI, people briefed on the matter told CNN, and in response to questions, the FBI said it uses "lawful sources to collect intelligence" and does not comment on informants.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Haitian officials say at least 28 people were involved in the assassination, with most of the suspects mercenaries from Colombia. On Sunday, Haitian National Police Chief Léon Charles said 63-year-old Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Florida-based doctor, had been detained on suspicion of playing a major role in planning the assassination. He said Sanon allegedly used a Florida-based security firm to recruit many of the men suspected of being involved in the assassination. It's believed that he told them they would serve as his bodyguards, and it's unclear if the men who worked as informants in the United States were willing participants in the assassination or knew about its mission, CNN reports.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 days
Speed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish