Opponents demonstrate in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 15, 2021, demanding that President Moise step down on Feb. 7, which they consider to be the last day of his term. Pictured, a minibus drives past a burning roadblock. (VALERIE BAERISWYL/AFP via Getty Images)
Political tensions worsened in Haiti as authorities arrested 23 people, including a Supreme Court judge, on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government and murder President Moisés, who was planning to become the interim leader of the transitional government. Justice Minister Vincent (Rockefeller Vincent) described the plot as a “coup attempt”.
Jovenel Moise has been president of Haiti since 2017, and marches for his resignation have intensified since 2018, according to foreign media reports. Opposition leaders have accused Moise of dictatorship and economic chaos in Haiti under his rule, and have announced plans to replace Moise with a new head of state.
The opposition planned to ask members of civil society and opposition camp leaders to elect a sitting Supreme Court justice as the new president, rather than wait until the September elections.
However, Moishe previously stated that he would hand over power to the winner of the election, but that he would not step down until after his term ends in 2022. He also plans to hold a referendum on constitutional amendments in April, and the opposition is concerned that the vote will not be free and fair, fearing that Moisés will gain more power.
Earlier in the day, anti-government demonstrators clashed with police in Port-au-Prince, who used tear gas. Street protests were also seen in several other towns.
Later, Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe said at a press conference at his private residence that police arrested 23 people, including a high-ranking police officer, and seized guns, ammunition, money and related documents. The documents included a speech by the arrested judge, who was planning to become the interim leader of the transitional government.
Jutesse accused the men of having contacted “high-ranking police officers at the National Palace (presidential palace) to arrest the president … and facilitate the inauguration of the new president.
Moisés said at the Port-au-Prince airport that the conspirators “aimed to take my Life.
More than two hundred journalists and protesters take part in a demonstration condemning police brutality in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 28, 2021. (VALERIE BAERISWYL/AFP via Getty Images)
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