Two U.S. citizens of Haitian origin have been arrested by Hatian officials for their alleged involvement in the murder of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
The two men were reported to be among the 17 foreign mercenaries arrested for their involvement in the attack on the residence of the Haitian president. The attackers claimed to be DEA agents.
James Solages, age 35 and Joseph Vincent, age 55 (pictured in the tweet below) were arrested together with 15 Columbian nationals in an operation conducted by the Haitian military after Interim President Claude Joseph declared a “state of siege” and martial law.
#HAITI: Haitian police say two US citizens are among 17 alleged foreign mercenaries who have been arrested in connection with the assassination of Pres. Jovenel Moïse. Haitian police say the two US citizens of Haitian descent were arrested along with 15 Colombian nationals. pic.twitter.com/LvuqRZrekT
— MwanzoTV (@MwanzoTv) July 9, 2021
Solages was active as part of a south Florida charity for the people of a Haitian town Jacmel. On his biography page on the charity’s website, Solages described himself as a “certified diplomatic agent.” He also wrote that he previously worked as a bodyguard.
Haitian police announced that three suspects were killed by the police. Eight suspects are still at large.
Two US citizens and 15 alleged foreign mercenaries, have been arrested by authorities in Haiti, over the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. pic.twitter.com/G9ffNiOx2s
— #BBNaijaReunion (@OloriSupergal) July 9, 2021
The U.S. state department said it was aware that two U.S. citizens were in Haitian custody, but declined to comment on the matter.