As the nation marks another anniversary of Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, her silence grows louder.
Investigation | The Haitian Pulse | July 9, 2025
On July 7, 2021, Haiti was shaken to its core. A squad of Colombian mercenaries stormed the presidential residence in Pétion-Ville, assassinating President Jovenel Moïse in a hail of bullets. Beside him in their bedroom, Martine Moïse, the First Lady, claimed to have been shot multiple times and miraculously survived. Four years later, many questions remain unanswered, and Martine’s consistent avoidance of the Haitian judicial process has only deepened the mystery surrounding her role in one of the country’s darkest nights.
A Survivor’s Story That Raises Questions
In the hours following the attack, Martine was flown to Miami with injuries she described as life-threatening. In interviews from her hospital bed, she said she had been shot seven or eight times and heard the assailants speaking Spanish—likely the Colombian mercenaries later identified by authorities. She also claimed that after being shot, one of the attackers kicked her with his boot to check if she was dead. But could seasoned mercenaries, trained in precision and elimination, really make such a mistake? If these were highly trained killers, how did she survive? Was she spared intentionally, or did they fail to finish the job?
If she truly endured such wounds, how was she able to return to Haiti only days later and attend her husband’s funeral? How could her handshake at the airport—with Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph himself—be so firm it reportedly startled him, yet be consistent with someone recovering from multiple gunshot injuries? Whatever the message was, that handshake conveyed it. Was her physical strength an act of determination, or does it suggest that her wounds were not as grave as initially presented?
“If she was lying next to her husband when professional assassins opened fire, how did she walk away alive?” asked a Port-au-Prince radio host during a recent anniversary broadcast.
Moments That Defy Expectations
The day of Jovenel Moïse’s funeral should have been a solemn occasion for any widow, especially one who had survived such a tragic ordeal. Yet during the service, a curious moment unfolded: Moïse Jean-Charles, a political figure and former presidential candidate, leaned over and whispered something into Martine’s ear. To the astonishment of many, Martine responded with a smile and a brief, almost hysterical laugh—captured on camera in the middle of the ceremony. What could have been said at such a moment to evoke such laughter? Was it an innocent reaction born of fatigue and trauma, or does it hint at something deeper? How did this behavior sit with grieving Haitians watching the funeral unfold on live television?
“How could a widow, mere days after her husband’s violent death, laugh hysterically at his funeral?” asked a Jacmel resident during a call-in radio show. “Does this reflect resilience—or something more troubling?”
The Mercenaries and the Miracle
President Moïse’s body bore horrific injuries: over a dozen gunshot wounds, many to the head and chest. He had no chance of survival. Martine, however, survived her claimed seven or eight gunshot wounds, including hits to her arms and abdomen. Could such extensive injuries heal so quickly? Could advanced trauma care in Miami explain her rapid recovery? Or were her wounds less severe than initially believed?
If the mercenaries were hired to eliminate all witnesses, why didn’t they ensure Martine’s death? Would professionals really settle for a boot kick to confirm a kill? Was she never meant to be a target in the first place? Or was her survival part of a larger plan?
This line of questioning has fueled widespread speculation in Haitian society. In a country long accustomed to political intrigue and betrayal, many wonder whether Martine’s survival was an accident or a calculated decision by those who plotted the attack. Could her survival have been necessary for a broader agenda, perhaps to maintain the appearance of a grieving widow while power brokers moved behind the scenes?
A Pattern of Judicial Evasion
Since the investigation began, Martine Moïse has been summoned multiple times to testify before Haitian judges. Each time, she has declined to appear. Why? Her lawyers argue that the judiciary is politicized and that her life remains under threat. But how can a nation heal when key figures avoid answering critical questions under oath?
In October 2023, a leaked arrest warrant revealed that Martine was sought for questioning as a “person of interest.” She ignored the summons, remaining abroad. In February 2024, she was formally indicted on charges of complicity and criminal association in connection to her husband’s murder. Yet she remains outside the country, issuing denials through her legal team. What does this silence mean? Is it a tactical decision to avoid injustice—or an attempt to escape accountability?
Could her absence be interpreted as fear of persecution, or does it reflect a deeper knowledge of the conspiracy that claimed her husband’s life? Why would an innocent widow not fight tirelessly to see justice served, even in the face of personal risk?
Public Opinion at a Crossroads
Martine’s initial image as a grieving widow has shifted. In a nation weary of political betrayal, her refusal to face the courts has bred suspicion. Is her absence evidence of guilt? Or could she simply fear an unfair trial in a system known for corruption? Could her composure—and even laughter—during her husband’s funeral reflect inner strength, or does it suggest a chilling indifference to his death?
“If she truly loved her husband, wouldn’t she fight tooth and nail for justice—even in a broken system?” asked a teacher in Gonaïves. “What is she afraid the judges might uncover?”
Does her silence suggest knowledge of the plot? Could her survival have been negotiated in advance? Could it really be possible that experienced assassins failed to finish their mission? Or is she genuinely a victim of forces far more powerful than herself?
The Haitian Pulse Perspective
As Haiti struggles to recover from years of turmoil, its people remain scarred by the violent loss of a president who, in his final year, had shown signs of earnest attempts to give the nation what little he could. For a population that has endured tragedy after tragedy, the unanswered questions surrounding Jovenel Moïse’s assassination are like open wounds. For the country to heal, Martine Moïse must do her part. She may indeed be a victim, but as the sole witness to her husband’s final moments, she holds answers that Haiti desperately needs. It is time for her to face the music and give a full account to the justice system—not for the sake of politics, but for the sake of a nation grasping for truth and closure.
The Haitian Pulse delivers fearless, diasporic perspectives that challenge corruption, expose opportunism, and amplify the voices too often silenced. Our reporting bridges the gap between Haiti and its global diaspora, connecting local struggles to universal calls for justice, equity, and progress. Every story we publish is rooted in integrity and an unwavering commitment to a better future for Haiti and its people.
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