Jovenel Moïse Case: Mario Palacios Reveals Gang Failure During Assassination

New details have emerged in the federal investigation into the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, a former Colombian soldier currently facing trial in the United States, has provided startling testimony regarding the logistics of the July 2021 attack.

According to reports from the Miami Herald, Palacios claims that the execution of the plot was disrupted by a breakdown in communication with local Haitian gangs.

Breakdown in Coordination with Armed Groups

During his court appearance, Palacios testified that the mercenaries on the ground were unable to reach their local counterparts as the operation unfolded. This lack of coordination reportedly forced the Colombian unit to deviate from the original plan.

The gangs didn’t answer the phone,” Palacios told the court. “We were given orders. We had to do the work that the gangs were supposed to do.

These statements suggest that while the Colombian commandos were primary actors, the strategy relied heavily on the support of local criminal networks that failed to mobilize at the critical moment.

The Role of the Colombian Mercenaries

Palacios, known by the nickname “Macho,” is one of several individuals extradited to the Southern District of Florida. His defense team has consistently argued that the mercenaries were misled about the true nature of the mission, believing they were executing a legal arrest warrant rather than an assassination.

However, his recent admission that they “did the work” intended for gangs adds a new layer of complexity to the international conspiracy investigation.

Implications for the Miami Trial

The testimony of Mario Antonio Palacios is a key component for federal prosecutors aiming to dismantle the network behind the plot. The trial focuses on:

Conspiracy to provide material support resulting in death.

The funding sources based in South Florida.

The link between political figures and gangs in Port-au-Prince.

As the case continues, these revelations underscore the deep-seated instability and the intricate web of actors involved in the events that shook Haiti and the international community.

Rédactrice Claire