Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in an attack on his residence overnight when a group of men claiming to be DEA agents.
Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph spoke on the situation, stating, "An unidentified group of individuals, some of whom were speaking in Spanish, attacked the private residence of the President of the Republic and mortally wounded him." A high-ranking Haitian government official added, "These were mercenaries."
Joseph added that first lady Martine Moïse "was wounded by a bullet and the necessary measures are being taken." He then stated, "The security situation of the country is under the control of the Haitian National Police and the Haitian Armed Forces. All measures are being taken to guarantee the continuity of the State and to protect the nation. Democracy and the Republic will triumph."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki reacted to the news, telling MSNBC, "We will be helpful in any way to the people of Haiti, to the government of Haiti, if there’s an investigation, but we’re still assessing right now, we’re still gathering information. The president, of course, will be briefed by his national security team this morning."
During an interview with CNN, Psaki added, "We stand ready and stand by them to provide any assistance that is needed … it’s important that people of Haiti know that."
