Suspects in Haitian president murder plot allegedly linked to Miami security company
Doral, Florida – What does a Miami security firm have to do with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse? Maybe a lot, according to the detained suspects.
The Miami Herald reported that the 17 Colombians and two Floridians of Haitian descent suspected of involvement in Moïse's murder plot all claim to have been hired to work in the country by CTU Security, based out of Doral. Sources say some of them were there for three months and others for longer.
The Colombian men were reportedly paid $3,000 a month to provide VIP security on the island. The two Haitian Americans said they were hired to serve as translators but did not specify who their employer was.
Acting Haitian police chief Leon Charles also said the suspects confirmed they worked for a company "based in the US and Colombia. They worked with the two Haitian Americans and a high-profile doctor here." Family members of the suspects have shared similar information with investigators.
CTU's head Antonio Enmanuel Intriago Valera, a Venezuelan immigrant, keeps a low profile but is reportedly known for supplying firearms and other military and police equipment.
The company's website reads, "As a representative for big and important security and safety device manufacturers around the world our objective is to offer first-class personalized products and services to law enforcement and military units, as well as industrial customers."
It remains to be seen whether CTU leaders were involved in the plot
There is no indication that Intriago was involved in or aware of the assassination, but in the past, insiders say he has boasted about his police connections in South America as well as his previous collaboration with US agencies.
He even allegedly said he had acted as a paid mercenary in the past. But whether those claims are true or just braggadocio also remains unconfirmed.
Intriago's own social media pages remain largely devoid of political content, expect for several posts criticizing the Venezuelan government and one in support of Juan Guaidó, whom Donald Trump recognized as the country's legitimate leader.
Haiti has called on the FBI for help in investigating Moïse's assassination. A team from Colombia has also arrived on the island to find out how Colombians got involved in the murder.
It wouldn't be the first time security personnel hired out of Florida intervened in South American politics. A failed coup attempt in May 2020 in Venezuela took place under similar circumstances, with some of the plotting on that occasion taking place in Doral.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Xinhua