Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at home at around 1 a.m. Tuesday by an unidentified group of gunmen, AP reports.
State of play: Moïse's wife, first lady Martine Moïse, is hospitalized, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said in a statement Wednesday. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-prince issued a security alert calling on staff to avoid unnecessary travel in the area.
What they're saying: Joseph condemned what he called an "inhumane and barbaric act," adding: "The country’s security situation is under the control of the National Police of Haiti and the Armed Forces of Haiti. Democracy and the republic will win."
- Joseph said the "highly coordinated" attack was carried out by a "highly trained and heavily armed group" at around 1 a.m. on July 7. He called on the international community to launch an investigation, and for the United Nations Security Council to hold a meeting on Haiti as soon as possible.
- "We urge Haitians to show restraint and maintain a peaceful environment over the coming days," Joseph said.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki expressed support for the people of Haiti on Wednesday, telling CNN: "This is a tragedy, it's a horrific crime and we're so sorry for the loss that they are all suffering and going through as many of them are waking up this morning and hearing this news."
- "And we stand ready and stand by them to provide any assistance that's needed," she added, noting that the White House and State Department are still gathering details about the situation.
The big picture: The violence comes amid increasing political instability in Haiti and calls for Moïse's removal from office before his term ended. Gang violence has spiked significantly in the capital of Port-au-Prince.
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