OPINION | THE HAITIAN PULSE | June 18, 2025
Four years after Haiti’s darkest political night, the search for justice is sharpening—and the spotlight is turning toward those who once held power.
On June 18, 2025, Martine Moïse, widow of slain President Jovenel Moïse, failed to appear before the Court of Appeal in Port-au-Prince despite a formal summons by Judge Emmanuel Lacroix. Her legal team cited health issues and a lack of proper travel documentation, requesting she be allowed to testify via videoconference. The court rejected the request.
Martine Moïse was not alone in her absence. Former Prime Minister Claude Joseph also did not appear. Other key figures—Léon Charles, Dimitri Hérard, and Renald Lubérice—either sent representatives or remain outside of Haiti. This development came just days after the court completed its questioning of 17 Colombian nationals accused of participating in the 2021 assassination plot.
Accountability or Avoidance?
Martine Moïse’s failure to appear is particularly troubling. She was not only present during the attack but also survived it with serious injuries. Her firsthand experience makes her a vital witness in the investigation. Yet, she has consistently avoided in-person testimony.
As the prosecutor stated:
“Martine Moïse ne fait pas preuve de bonne foi dans sa collaboration avec les autorités judiciaires.” (Martine Moïse is not showing good faith in her collaboration with judicial authorities.)
The question now on many Haitians’ minds is whether her repeated absences are merely evasive or indicative of something more serious.
Similarly, Claude Joseph’s failure to appear casts a shadow over his role during and after the assassination. As a central figure who briefly assumed power in the aftermath, his insights are crucial—and his absence, conspicuous.
A Justice System Under Pressure
This stage of the investigation marks a pivotal moment. Judge Lacroix’s decision to summon Haiti’s political elite has reenergized public interest in a case that many feared was lost to corruption and political obstruction. The court is now pursuing lines of inquiry that were previously neglected or ignored.
Earlier this year, the group Résistance Démocratique (RED) criticized the delays:
“Ce crime reste l’un des plus graves de l’histoire récente d’Haïti… la justice est freinée par l’influence d’acteurs puissants agissant en coulisses.” (This crime remains one of the most serious in Haiti’s recent history… justice is being blocked by powerful actors operating behind the scenes.)
Despite international convictions, many key figures in Haiti continue to operate freely. The resulting frustration has deepened public distrust in the nation’s institutions.
Haiti Deserves the Truth
This isn’t about revenge or political gain—it’s about truth. The Haitian people deserve to know who orchestrated the assassination of their president and why. That includes examining the roles of those who held proximity to power.
Martine Moïse and Claude Joseph must stop hiding behind procedural delays. If they are innocent, let them say so—in person, before the court. If they are not, the Haitian public has a right to know.
Because a justice system that fears the powerful is no justice system at all.
The Haitian Pulse is a bold, independent voice committed to connecting global headlines to Haitian realities. We dig deeper, challenge narratives, and elevate the truth—always with Haiti’s future in mind.
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