The President of Haiti has been assassinated in an attack on his home, according to the country’s interim prime minister.
53-year-old Jovenel Moise was shot dead by a group of unidentified individuals who attacked his private residence at around 1am local time.
The first lady, Martine Moise, is said to be in hospital.
The country’s Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph confirmed the “inhumane and barbaric act” in a statement this morning.
He noted that some of the attackers were speaking Spanish.
La résidence du président de la République, Jovenel Moïse attaquée vers 1h du matin ce mercredi, il est blessé mortellement, selon le pm ai @claudejoseph03.Blessée par balle, la Première Dame prend les soins que nécessite son cas. pic.twitter.com/BuHKv5cFwf
— Marie Samuelle Charles (@SamuelleCharles) July 7, 2021
Mr Moise had been ruling the country by decree after elections were delayed in 2018.
Mr Joseph said he had assumed control of the country, noting that: "Democracy and the republic will win."
He said Haiti's National Police and other authorities had the situation under control with officers deployed to the National Palace.
The impoverished Caribbean country had grown increasingly unstable under Mr Moise's rule – with an eruption of violent protests, kidnappings and organised crime in recent months.
The president had faced deep opposition from those who viewed his mandate as illegitimate.
Mr Joseph is the seventh prime minister to serve under him n the last four years and was due to be replaced this week.
Additional reporting from IRN.
