{"id":73974,"date":"2021-07-15T16:00:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T20:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=73974"},"modified":"2021-07-15T16:00:45","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T20:00:45","slug":"why-is-a-haiti-assassination-primary-suspect-a-confidential-dea-source","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=73974","title":{"rendered":"Why is a Haiti assassination primary suspect a \u2018confidential\u2019 DEA source"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>American suspect in Haiti president\u2019s assassination was \u2018confidential\u2019 DEA source<\/h1>\n<p><!--more-->By Lee Brown<br \/>\nNew York Post<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" height=\"348\" width=\"618\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" src=\"\/\/players.brightcove.net\/4137224153001\/6aIMRO3kiI_default\/index.html?videoId=6263524990001\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>One of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/09\/2-americans-ex-colombia-soldiers-named-as-suspects-in-assassination-of-haitis-president-jovenel-moi\/\">Americans arrested for the assassination<\/a>\u00a0of Haiti\u2019s president had been an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration \u2014 the US agency the hit squad had\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/07\/haiti-president-jovenel-moises-assassination-partially-on-video\/\">claimed to be working for<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A DEA official confirmed to Reuters that the informant even reached out to his handlers after the hit, as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2021\/07\/12\/americas\/haiti-assassination-plot-us-law-informants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CNN also claimed<\/a>\u00a0that \u201cseveral\u201d of those arrested had also been US informants, including for the FBI.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the suspects in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/07\/haitian-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-in-his-home\/\">assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Mo\u00efse<\/a>\u00a0was a confidential source to the DEA,\u201d the DEA official confirmed to Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFollowing the assassination of President Mo\u00efse, the suspect reached out to his contacts at the DEA,\u201d the official wrote in an email also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/news\/nation-world\/world\/americas\/haiti\/article252742868.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">obtained by the Miami Herald.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cA DEA official assigned to Haiti urged the suspect to surrender to local authorities and, along with a US State Department colleague, shared information with the Haitian government that assisted in the surrender and arrest of the suspect and one other individual,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img class=\"wp-image-18796647 lazyloaded\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 224px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=224 224w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=448 448w\" alt=\"Joseph Vincent, middle Suspects in the assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moise, among them Haitian-American citizens James Solages, left, and Joseph Vincent, second left, are shown to the media at the General Direction of the police in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, July 8, 2021. Moise was assassinated in an attack on his private residence early Wednesday. \" width=\"224\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=224 224w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-25.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=448 448w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><figcaption>The hit squad had claimed to be working for the DEA, including Joseph Vincent (center), who was a confidential source for the agency.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cDEA is aware of reports that President Mo\u00efse\u2019s assassins yelled \u2018DEA\u2019 at the time of their attack,\u201d the official told the Herald.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese individuals were not acting on behalf of DEA,\u201d the source insisted.<\/p>\n<p>While the official did not identify which of the arrested Americans was the informant, the Herald and McClatchy both identified him as 55-year-old West Palm Beach-based\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/09\/what-we-know-about-the-americans-detained-in-haiti-assassination\/\">suspect Joseph Gertand Vincent<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Haitian American was first arrested more than 20 years ago for filing false information on a US passport application and went on to become a paid DEA informant, the Miami paper said.<\/p>\n<p>Vincent went by the pseudonym Oliver and helped bring down drug traffickers \u2014 including the 2017 arrest of former Haiti rebel leader Guy Philippe, sources told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>Vincent had been with Haitian National Police officers when they turned over Philippe to DEA agents for the flight to Miami, sources told the paper. He eventually pleaded guilty to drug-trafficking conspiracy charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison, the Herald noted.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img class=\"wp-image-18796657 lazyloaded\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2000 2000w\" alt=\"Joseph Vincent, second left\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-26-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2000 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Multiple Haitian Americans took part in the assassination.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img class=\"wp-image-18796653 lazyloaded\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2000 2000w\" alt=\"Members of the Haitian police and forensics look for evidence outside of the presidential residence on July 7, 2021 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. - Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated and his wife wounded early July 7, 2021 in an attack at their home, the interim prime minister announced, an act that risks further destabilizing the Caribbean nation beset by gang violence and political volatility. Claude Joseph said he was now in charge of the country and urged the public to remain calm, while insisting the police and army would ensure the population's safety.The capital Port-au-prince as quiet on Wednesday morning with no extra security forces on patrol, witnesses reported. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-22.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2000 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Jovenel Mo\u00efse was at his home during the attack.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Vincent was arrested last week alongside fellow Florida-based Haitian American James Solages, 35, who has described himself as a \u201ccertified diplomatic agent\u201d and the former \u201cchief commander of bodyguards\u201d for the Canadian Embassy in Haiti. Florida records show Solages has held security officer and firearm licenses.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img class=\"wp-image-18796665 lazyloaded\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 189px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=189 189w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=378 378w\" alt=\"Haitian President Jovenel Moise answers a question during a meeting with John Kelly, United States Secretary of Homeland Security at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, on May 31, 2017. \" width=\"189\" height=\"235\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=189 189w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/haiti-dea-20.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=378 378w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 189px\" \/><figcaption>Haitian President Jovenel Mo\u00efse was assassinated last week.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Both men reportedly told investigators they were translators for a Colombian commando unit that had an arrest warrant for Mo\u00efse, but that when they arrived, they found Mo\u00efse dead.<\/p>\n<p>A third Haitian American,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/13\/doc-tied-to-assassination-was-on-a-mission-to-save-haiti-from-hell\/\">Christian Emmanuel Sanon, was arrested<\/a>\u00a0Sunday, accused of being a mastermind of the attack as part of his bid to become the impoverished nation\u2019s new leader.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI told CNN that it doesn\u2019t comment on informants, except to say that it uses \u201clawful sources to collect intelligence\u201d as part of its investigations.<\/p>\n<p>The Justice Department said Monday it had been asked by Haiti to assist in the probe of Mo\u00efse\u2019s murder, and was doing so.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn initial assessment has been conducted in Haiti by senior US officials,\u201d said spokesman Anthony Coley. \u201cThe department will also investigate whether there were any violations of US criminal law in connection with this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>With Post wires<\/em><\/p>\n<p>___<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/13\/american-suspect-in-haiti-president-hit-was-a-confidential-dea-source\/\">https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/07\/13\/american-suspect-in-haiti-president-hit-was-a-confidential-dea-source\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>American suspect in Haiti president\u2019s assassination was \u2018confidential\u2019 DEA source<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=73974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73974\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=73974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=73974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=73974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}