4 people in Florida convicted of conspiracy in 2021 assassination of Haiti's president

Key Points:

• A Florida jury convicted four men—Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages—of conspiracy related to the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, including charges of providing material support and violating the U.S. Neutrality Act.
• Prosecutors revealed that South Florida was a key hub for planning and financing the plot, with the conspirators aiming to replace Moïse with their preferred leader and enrich themselves through the new government.
• The assassination involved about two dozen foreign mercenaries, mostly Colombians, who attacked Moïse’s home on July 7, 2021; Moïse's wife, Martine, was wounded and testified at trial about the attack.
• Ortiz and Intriago were principals of South Florida-based Counter Terrorist Unit companies, while Veintemilla led Worldwide Capital Lending Group; Solages coordinated efforts in Haiti and worked with Christian Sanon, a dual Haitian-American citizen who is expected to face trial later.
• Defense attorneys claimed the defendants believed they were acting under a legitimate warrant to remove Moïse, arguing the investigation was flawed and that the men were scapegoated for an internal coup; meanwhile, at least five others have pleaded guilty and are serving life sentences.