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Florida suspect in Haiti president killing deepens mystery

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Florida suspect in Haiti president killing deepens mystery

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The arrest of a failed Haitian businessman living in Florida who authorities say was a key player in the killing of Haiti’s president deepened the mystery yesterday into an already convoluted plot surrounding the assassination.

Haitian authorities identified the suspect as Christian Emmanuel Sanon, 62, who once expressed a desire to lead his country in a YouTube video. However, he is unknown in Haitian political circles, and associates suggested he was duped by those really behind the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in an attack last week that critically wounded his wife, Martine, who remains hospitalised in Miami.

A Florida friend of Sanon told The Associated Press that the suspect is an evangelical Christian pastor and a licensed physician in Haiti, but not in the US. The associate, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of safety concerns, said Sanon told him he was approached by people claiming to represent the US State and Justice departments who wanted to install him as president.

He said the plan was for Moïse to be arrested, not killed, and Sanon would not have participated if he knew Moïse would be assassinated.

“I guarantee you that,” the associate said. “This was supposed to be a mission to save Haiti from hell, with support from the US Government.”

Echoing those sentiments was the Rev Larry Caldwell, a Florida pastor, who said he worked with Sanon setting up churches and medical clinics in Haiti from 2000 to 2010. He doesn’t believe Sanon would have been involved in violence.

“I know the character of the man,” Caldwell said. “You take a man like that and you’re then going to say he participated in a brutal crime of murder, knowing that being associated with that would send him to the pits of hell? … If there was one man who would be willing to stand in the breach to help his country, it would be Christian.”

Haiti’s National Police chief, Léon Charles, said Moïse’s killers were protecting Sanon, whom he accused of working with those who plotted the assassination.

Charles said officers found a hat with the logo of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, 20 boxes of bullets, gun parts, four motor vehicle licence plates from the Dominican Republic, two cars and correspondence, among other things, in Sanon’s house in Haiti.

Twenty-six former Colombian soldiers are suspected in the killing and 23 have been arrested, along with three Haitians. Charles said five suspects are still at large and at least three have been killed.

“They are dangerous individuals,” Charles said. “I’m talking commando, specialised commando.”

Meanwhile, Colombia’s national police chief, General Jorge Luis Vargas, said that a Florida-based enterprise, CTU Security, used its company credit card to buy 19 plane tickets from Bogota to Santo Domingo for the Colombian suspects. Most arrived in the Dominican Republic in June and moved into Haiti within weeks, Vargas said.

He said that Dimitri Hérard, head of general security at Haiti’s National Palace, flew to Colombia, Ecuador and Panama in the months before the assassination, and Colombian police are investigating whether he had any role in recruiting the mercenaries. In Haiti, prosecutors are seeking to interrogate Hérard over the assassination.

Charles said Sanon was in contact with CTU Security and that the company recruited the suspects in the killing. He said Sanon flew into Haiti in June on a private jet accompanied by several of the alleged gunmen.

The suspects’ initial mission was to protect Sanon, but they later received a new order: to arrest the president, Charles said.

“The operation started from there,” he said, adding that 22 additional suspects joined the group.

Charles said that after Moïse was killed, one suspect phoned Sanon, who got in touch with two people believed to be masterminds of the plot. He did not identify them or say if police know who they are.

Sanon’s associate said he attended a recent meeting in Florida with Sanon and about a dozen other people, including Antonio Enmanuel Intriago Valera, a Venezuelan émigré to Miami who runs CTU Security. He said a presentation was made for rebuilding the country, including its water system, converting trash into energy and fixing roads.

He said Sanon asked why the security team accompanying him to Haiti were all Colombians. Sanon was told Haitians couldn’t be trusted and that the system is corrupt, the associate said. He said Sanon called him from Haiti a few days before the assassination and said the Colombians had disappeared,.

“I’m all by myself. Who are these people? I don’t know what they are doing,” the associate quoted Sanon as saying.

Sanon “is completely gullible,” the associate added. “He thinks God is going to save everything.”

Sanon has lived in Broward County in Florida, as well as in Hillsborough County on the Gulf Coast. Records also show he resided in Kansas City, Missouri. He filed for bankruptcy in Florida in 2013 and identified himself as a medical doctor in a video on YouTube titled “Leadership for Haiti.”

GRA officer killed by landlord’s son during eviction row

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 Jul 13, 2021  News (GUYANA)

Kaieteur News – An eviction row yesterday turned deadly when an Enforcement Officer of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was stabbed by his landlord’s 42-year-old son.

Dead, Dwayne Daniel Taitt.

According to police, on Sunday at around 17:30hrs, Taitt’s landlord, Jacklyn Lamaizon, told Taitt and his wife that they have up to July 14, 2021, to move out of her Lot 2 Middleton Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, apartment. The couple was residing at the aforementioned address with their two-year-old daughter.

Kaieteur News understands that Lamaizon was in the company of her son when she gave the tenants the short notice to vacate her apartment.

Taitt’s wife told investigators that they were asleep when they were awakened by the suspect banging on their apartment door with a piece of wood while shouting for them to move out.

The police reported that Taitt then got up, opened the door and went outside to the suspect who was armed with a knife. The suspect reportedly used the knife to attack Taitt. The man then ran out onto a street opposite the apartment, but the suspect chased after him and dealt him a stab to his chest. Taitt collapsed and the suspect fled the scene with the murder weapon.


Taitt’s wife, assisted by a security guard, rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. His body was then examined and a single wound was seen to his left upper chest.

Taitt’s body was then escorted to the hospital’s mortuary where it is awaiting a post mortem examination. The suspect was later arrested and the knife he reportedly used to stab Taitt was also recovered. Statements were taken and investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, friends, colleagues and relatives of Taitt yesterday took to social media to express their grief over his passing. He was described as hardworking, disciplined and joyful

Man Found Decomposed Was Reported Missing In 2020

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Man Found Decomposed Was Reported Missing In 2020

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 13th July 2021)-The DNA samples from the remains of a man found dead in April 2021 coupled with that of a living close relative have led police to officially identify Jabal Henry of Upper Cayon whose decomposed body was recently found in the Needmust area.

Police say Henry was 39 years old at the time of the report. Based on police files, this media house gathered that he was reported missing in 2020 and was last seen within the general area also.

A police statement issued on 2nd July 2021 reported: “The identity of the human remains found in the Needsmust area on April 23, 2021, has been determined by the Police. Based on evidence taken from the scene, the Police narrowed their investigations to focus on a person of interest.”

“DNA samples from the remains and a close relative were sent abroad for testing. The results were recently received and proved to be a match,” the statement read also.

Meanwhile a police missing poster issued on 4th February 2020 reported that Henry was “last seen on the night of January 31 2020 walking along the Kim Collins Highway wearing a black shirt and a long black pant.”

 His age given then was 36.

 Persons with information regarding the deceased’s  matter are urged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit by dialling 467-1887, 467-1888, 662-3468, their nearest Police Station or the Crime Hotline at 707 where information can be given anonymously.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Reduced Quarantine, No Lockdown Among New Measures Announced

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Reduced Quarantine, No Lockdown Among New Measures Announced

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Saturday 10th July 2021)- In an address to the nation on Saturday 10th July 2021, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris announced new measures set to take place effect from Monday 12th July which includes no 24-hour lockdown and reduced quarantine time for fully vaccinated passengers.

These measures as outlined by him are as follows:

1. Effective Monday, July 12, 2021, there will be no 24 hour lockdown.  A night curfew will remain in place but will now be imposed from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am daily.  All residents shall stay at home during these curfew hours except for essential workers.  

2. All persons employed in the public service, statutory bodies or state-owned corporations, shall resume work. I emphasize that all government employees are to return to work on Monday July 12th.

3. All businesses may return to normal working hours subject to the curfew and must conform to all safety protocols. These include The Construction sector which can resume normal operations. Barber shops and salons which should have no more than two to four customers waiting based on the size of the establishment. All Vendors are to remain in the public market.  I repeat all businesses are permitted to return to operation subject to the curfew.

4. Passenger buses will be allowed a maximum capacity of 10 passengers.  However, all protocols must be observed.  The security officers will be enforcing compliance.

5. Inter Island travel between St Kitts and Nevis to resume again with all COVID-19 protocols observed.

6. Churches can resume normal services but continue to observe all COVID-19 protocols including social distancing.

7. Nurseries and day care centers can reopen using the COVID-19 protocols previously established.

8. Bars and restaurants can resume normal operating hours subject to the curfew and must adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

9. Sporting events will be allowed in accordance with the conditions outlined in the SR&O.

10. Social gatherings will be permitted but organizers must first apply for permission from the Commissioner of Police.

11. Beaches will open for exercise only.  No beach parties or mass gatherings will be permitted.

12. Protocols for entry into St Kitts and Nevis shall remain in full effect save for the period of quarantine set out below.

13. Quarantine for incoming fully vaccinated passengers will be reduced from 9 days to 3 days with testing on the 4th day and release once the test is negative.

14. Children under 18 years and accompanying their fully vaccinated parents or guardians will be treated the same as their parents or guardians in relation to the period of quarantine.

15. Quarantine remains at 14 days for unvaccinated returning citizens and residents.

16. Quarantine shall be at a government approved quarantine facility or at a hotel offering vacation in place. Those wishing to quarantine at home will continue to require and pay for private security during the period of quarantine. 

Nine Contestants To Participate In Annual Home Edition French Singing Competition

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Nine Contestants To Participate In Annual Home Edition French Singing Competition

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 9th July 2021)-  A total of nine participants have been chosen for the finale of the fourth annual French Singing competition come Wednesday 14th July 2021, to be staged home edition style for the second year in a row using virtual entertainment.

Director of the Alliance Française de St.Kitts and Nevis Marine Moncaut, during an interview with this media house via Zoom, in speaking about a second home edition, pointed out that it is important to continue activities.

“These moments are rare but we have to find alternatives right now to keep things up,” she stated.

Moncaut also said that such is about social work noting that “it is part of our mission, and it is so meaningful right now.”

An intern attached to the Alliance Française, Alyssa Hatchi, chimed in saying: “It is also a way to show that even though for example that we’re in lockdown right now that life continues and that we continue to still having activities. Life is still there in general and it is to show resilience too that we’re still doing the French Singing Competition; that it’s still there and things are still moving on and going on.”

The 2021 competition is organised by the Alliance Française de St. Kitts and Nevis and is supported by the Ministry of Education of St Kitts and Nevis and the Embassy of France to the OECS member states and Barbados.

According to information coming from the Alliance Française, between June 9th and July 2nd, 26 video submissions were received from by participants, comprising 8 children, 7 adolescents and 11 adults.

Judges of the three categories were Ms. Virginie Jouffrey (French teacher), Ms. Grace Richardson (Singer/Song-writer), Mr. Azem Bailey (Music Producer/Musician) and Mr. Gairy Knight (Music teacher/Musician).

 As gathered, this year, the three finalists of the Children Category will win equally. The adolescents and adults will have to perform a second French song of their choice, that will be viewed and voted upon, in addition to their pre-selection video. 

It is said that the jury, as well as the public, will define the grand winner, the first runner up and second runner up within the three contestants of the adolescent and adult categories. 

 The finalists and the respective categories are as follows:

Children category: Widson Rosemé, Jah’Deicia Percival and  Clivansia Richardson


Adolescent category- Joliver Rosemé,Chenoa Gilbert and Tayshaun Phillips


Adult category- Lufkin Foster, Romane Michel Bazelais and Chevaughn Richards

Registration is mandatory to access the Zoom finale. Interested persons can register via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEldOqgqTwrG9GvjQwYcU8_QaN8j1GEfIqN


The show is slated to begin at 7:00PM

COVID-19 Task Force Chairman: This Should Be Last 24-Hour Lockdown

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COVID-19 Task Force Chairman: This Should Be Last 24-Hour Lockdown

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 8th July 2021)-Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force Abdias Samuel has indicated that the current 24-hour lockdown period in St.Kitts-Nevis could be the last one amid the pandemic.

“Hopefully by next week we should see some form of reopening. I think that we are at a level that we are satisfied. We do understand that we have to live with this virus and the reality is that you have to adapt. We have to now adapt and to live with this,” he stated at the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 7th July 2021. 

He added: “This should be- and I caution myself in saying this-This should be our last 24 hour lockdown. Maybe we can have restrictions when we see clusters but if we look around the world, we can see. Look at the UK- what they have done, Barbados has done similar and we’re looking for the best practice throughout the Caribbean region and by extension the whole world.”

As with the ongoing restrictive measures, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th July will have a 24-hour lockdown.

The National COVID-19 Task Force official has applauded the discipline of members of the public saying: “The one or two incidents reported here and there, these are something that are acceptable. They fall within the plus or minus margin that we expected but overall, we have had a wonderful response from the general public…”

Samuel informed that the task force convened a multi stakeholders’ meeting on July 6th involving the participation from all sectors of society noting that “a number of measures are going to be deliberated upon and hopefully they would be approved or discussed.”

He said prior to that on 5th July, the task force had a discussion looking at various sectors in society as per “the reopening of the economy and the country on a whole and bringing the country to a state of normalcy.”

He outlined per sector some of the general recommendations that were discussed among the membership in consultation with a number of stakeholders.

Such areas are public transport (land and sea), bus, taxi operators, ferries and water taxis as well as  business sector opening hours and “encouraging e-commerce looking at digital transformation as the way forward to help us build resilience because the reality is we have to live with this virus going forward.”

Additionally, he spoke about discussing a policy of persons working remotely (outside office) and the capacity that should be permissible for persons to return to offices, and also policy for businesses to advocate for vaccination and also the continuing education programme for those businesses.

Samuel said there was discussion about vendors remaining in the public market and the situation of farmers and fishers adopting programmes that would help them to be resilient.

In relation to the construction sector, he pointed out that there was discussion about the opening of hardware stores so that construction can begin and how the sector can apply trade in a very safe manner.

About the religious sector, according to Samuel: “We were happy with the religious sector because they have been conforming with the protocols and procedures and there wasn’t much really that we can advocate for but for them to continue doing what they were doing.”

Pertaining to the manufacturing sector, Samuel commented that the task force is pleased by the approach taken noting that at the 5th July session, “manufacturers rolled out a plan on how they wish to open and that was commendable.”

For the education sector, he talked about the protocols and document that have been developed by the Ministry of Education in consultation with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders such as the National COVID task force. The reopening of nurseries and daycares with strict protocols was also mentioned.

Other sectors include tourism, public, entertainment and sporting.

CXC Exams Progressing Smoothly, Reports Education Minister Powell

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CXC Exams Progressing Smoothly, Reports Education Minister Powell

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 08, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell, said that the structures put in place to facilitate the local sitting of CXC Examinations are progressing smoothly.

This year’s sitting, which started about two weeks ago, is taking place amidst community transmission of COVID-19. In response, health authorities instituted 24-hour curfews and limited movement provisions to break the transmission cycle. Special arrangements were created to facilitate the exams, allowing students to travel during the curfew and to minimize any possible spread of the virus.

Minister Powell gave an update on the process during the Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference on July 08, 2021. He noted that there were some initial cases where students or their parents travelling with them, forgot the travel pass exemption to present to authorities. However, this was quickly rectified.

“So far we have had no incidences that need to be reported,” he stated, noting that he has visited several of the examination sites with the most recent tour being yesterday.

“I use this opportunity to say thank you to students and parents for their continued support in terms of compliance with the protocols. Thank you to Solomon Claxton, our CXC Registrar, who has been overseeing this entire process and who has been quite busy, working to ensure things go smoothly,” the education minister added.

He also expressed appreciation to the examination invigilators and other staff facilitating the process.

Minister Powell wished the students and adults taking exams all the best and said that he was looking forward to positive reports when the regional grading is complete.

New Taiwan Ambassador Appointed In SKN

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New Taiwan Ambassador Appointed In SKN

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 9th July 2021)-Micheal Lin is the newly-appointed Taiwan Ambassador to St.Kitts and Nevis.

Via a Facebook page of Taiwan in St.Kitts and Nevis, such information was publicised on Tuesday 29th June 2021.

It was shared that Ambassador Lin who was initially posted to St. Kitts and Nevis as counselor in Feb. 2018, has been devoted to fostering relations between Taiwan and St.Kitts and over the past three years.

“He was notably the key person in organising the visits of President Tsai and Taiwan’s honour guard corps, and facilitating the delivery of Taiwan-made police vehicles as well as many other bilateral cooperation projects in infrastructure and social security,” it was stated.

Furthermore: “With his great connections and deep familiarity with the country, Amb. Lin’s leadership is promising for ever closer bilateral exchanges & fruitful cooperation. Taiwan and St. Kitts & Nevis will always be the best partners, weathering challenges and advancing prosperity & sustainable development. Long live our cordial friendship!”

The immediate past Taiwanese Ambassador is Tom Lee.

SKN Athletes To Participate In NACAC Championship In Costa Rica

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SKN Athletes To Participate In NACAC Championship In Costa Rica

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 7th 2021―Four athletes from St. Kitts and Nevis will compete in the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under 18 and Under 23 Championship in San Jose, Costa Rica from 9th – 11th July. These athletes are Amaya Clarke, Jahnaza Francis, Ian Liburd and Leroy Chapman. Eric Francis will serve as the head coach.

Amaya Clarke, a junior at University of Akron and member of the team for the Tokyo 2020 olympic games, will compete in the Under 23 Women’s 100 meter dash. Jahnaza Francis, freshman at Lincoln University, will compete in the Under 23 400 meter hurdles event. Ian Liburd,  will compete in the Under 23 100 meter dash and the Under 200 meter event. Leroy Chapman will compete in the 400 meter event.

Jahnaza Francis

SKN Athletics President Delwayne Delaney said that despite the abrupt end to the 2020-2021 track and field season in St. Kitts Nevis, his executive is proud to support these athletes in this athletic championship. “We had to curtail and outright cancel many events for the track season 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 season, including big events like the inter-primary and inter-high school events,” Delaney said. “However despite these cancellations, we encouraged our athletes to continue training to remain in top form. I am delighted that we were able to support these athletes as they compete in their respective events. I expect all of them to give their best performances and to be ambassadors for the federation.”

Ian Liburd

Liburd and Chapman will leave St. Kitts on Wednesday July 7th and will join their other teammates and head coach in Miami where they will all depart for Costa Rica on Thursday July 8th 2021.

Leroy Chapman

The Executive of SKN Athletics on behalf of the entire track and field community wishes to congratulate the athletes for being selected and wishes them the best in their events. The association also wishes to thank the National Olympic Committee for its assistance and support.

More about SKN Athletics

SKN Athletics, formerly SKNAAA, is the governing body for track and field in St. Kitts and Nevis and is responsible for the promotion and control of the sport of athletics. The association also organizes and regulates the sport in accordance with the rules and regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

The association was formally established in 1977 and is managed by an Executive of eleven (11), with its Secretariat located at Sprott Street, Basseterre. The association is a member of World Athletics, and the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC). SKN Athletics is a founding and important member of the St. Kitts & Nevis Olympic Committee.

For more information please contact SKN Athletics at athleticsskn@gmail.com.

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Less Quarantine Days Being Discussed In Reopening Of Tourism Sector

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Less Quarantine Days Being Discussed In Reopening Of Tourism Sector

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 9th July 2021)-Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force Abdias Samuel has highlighted that there are recommendations for reducing quarantine in hopes of increasing stay-over tourists to St.Kitts-Nevis.

In giving a recap of a recent stakeholder’s meeting while speaking at the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 7th July 2021, he stated that the Tourism sector was discussed regarding the opening of beach bars and restaurants, the opening of restaurants and bars in general and also the return of the cruise industry.

“That is priority for us. We would love to see the tourism sector become alive and highly competitive, and one of the best in the region, and we are looking at these sectors. We are hoping that the stay-over tourists or guests would increase as well, and that is why some recommendations are on the table for the reduction of the quarantine period,” Samuel said.

In related tourism news, according to an assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as posted on its website on Tuesday 6th July 2021 titled ‘St. Kitts and Nevis: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2021 Article IV Mission’ “An expected rebound in tourism sets the stage for a strong recovery from 2022 onward, but risks to the outlook remain significant.”

It was further expressed that: “We project a small further decline in GDP of 1 percent in 2021, followed by 10 percent growth in 2022. The pre-pandemic GDP level is expected to be reached in 2024. However, the recovery path could be derailed should the pandemic impose sustained disruptions on the anticipated pace of tourism inflows and domestic activity. Other risks include financial sector uncertainties, natural disasters, and lower-than-expected CBI receipts.”

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