U.S. authorities have transferred 18 defendants from Haiti to South Florida. The defendants face federal charges linked to the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moรฏse.
The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations led the transfer. Authorities brought the defendants to the United States on September 19, 2026.
The case centers on the killing of Moรฏse. Attackers killed the Haitian president inside his residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021.
Prosecutors Trace Money to COVID Relief Fraud
Federal prosecutors have also followed the money behind the alleged conspiracy. They say fraudulently obtained COVID-19 relief funds helped finance the plot.
The money came from pandemic relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Prosecutors say South Florida played an important role in the alleged financial network. They have linked the case to fundraising and other activities in the region.
A separate case also supports the financial allegations. In July 2026, a South Florida fundraiser received a 20-year federal prison sentence for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent COVID relief funds. Prosecutors linked those funds to the Moรฏse assassination conspiracy.
Alleged Plot Crossed Several Countries
The investigation involves people connected to Haiti, the United States and Colombia.
U.S. prosecutors previously said the alleged conspirators recruited former Colombian soldiers. They also worked with Haitian allies while developing plans against Moรฏse.
The group considered different plans before the final attack. Prosecutors say they discussed kidnapping Moรฏse and forcing him to leave office.
The conspiracy later shifted toward an attack on his residence. Investigators say the group then carried out the operation on July 7, 2021.
Miami Case Enters Another Phase
The latest transfer moves the case into another phase of U.S. federal proceedings. Prosecutors will now pursue the charges against the defendants in South Florida.
The Justice Department says the investigation remains focused on people who allegedly financed, supported or facilitated the assassination plot.
A federal jury already convicted four defendants in May 2026. Those convictions covered several charges tied to the conspiracy and the assassination.
The charges against the newly transferred defendants do not establish guilt. Each defendant remains entitled to due process in federal court.
A Long-Running Investigation
The Moรฏse assassination investigation has continued for more than five years.
U.S. investigators have examined the alleged financial network behind the plot. They have also investigated connections across multiple countries.
The latest arrests and transfer show that U.S. authorities continue to pursue additional defendants in the case. The Justice Department says investigators will continue following evidence related to the assassination.
Conclusion
The transfer of 18 defendants brings the Jovenel Moรฏse assassination case into another major stage in U.S. federal court. Prosecutors allege that fraudulent COVID relief money helped support the wider conspiracy.
