Demonstrators attempt to take away an indication of slain President Jovenel Moise throughout an indication in opposition to rising violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Picture/Odelyn Joseph)
NEW YORK --
Colombian President Ivan Duque stated Wednesday there may be proof and testimony that critically implicate "virtually all" of the previous Colombian troopers being held in Haiti within the assassination of that nation's president, Jovenel Moise.
In an interview with The Related Press, Duque stated the arrested ex-soldiers nonetheless should be tried, however that "clearly, primarily based on the testimony of many," it's evident "that there's a stage of implication" within the July 7 killing of Moise, who was assassinated at his residence in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.
Greater than 40 individuals have been arrested in Haiti in reference to the killing, together with a number of Haitian law enforcement officials, a former Haitian senator and 18 former Colombian troopers.
Duque struck a harsher tone than up to now concerning the Colombians held in Haiti since shortly after the killing. Beforehand, he had stated a small group of recruiters knew what the actual intention of the ex-soldiers' journey to Haiti was and so they misrepresented the aim of the mission to the previous troopers.
The president advised AP on Wednesday that he by no means stated the previous troopers had been misled.
"I've at all times stated that an investigation needs to be carried out, and the investigation has been carried out, and in reality the Colombian police contributed," he stated. "And actually, one of many individuals who fled from Haiti, who was later captured, talked in regards to the stage of involvement."
Duque appeared to be referring to Mario Antonio Jose Palacios, recognized as one of many most important suspects in Moise's homicide. He's detained in Florida. In keeping with the accusations, Palacios spoke voluntarily and stated he was employed to journey to Haiti to supply safety and take part in a purported operation to arrest the president.
Households of the ex-soldiers have complained that the detainees haven't been in a position to defend themselves in Haiti and wouldn't have legal professionals.
In July, Duque stated that "inside the group (of former troopers) there have been individuals who had acquired totally different directions." Even so, the president identified that "whatever the stage of data one had," it was clear the complete group participated within the assassination.
That very same month he additionally advised a radio station that "all the pieces signifies a big group of people that arrived in Haiti had been `blindfolded,' taken for a supposed safety mission, whereas others, a small group apparently, had detailed information of the legal operation and the intent to kill the president of Haiti."
On Wednesday, Duque stated Colombia's palms are tied within the judicial course of in Haiti.
"We are able to attempt to work diplomatically to ensure that the trial be carried out earlier and that they've a minimal of situations as inmates. However past that, Colombia can not act, as a result of clearly there are some info. There are some accusations. There are some testimonies," the president stated.
Duque, a conservative who can not search re-election in Colombia's Could 29 presidential election. additionally spoke in regards to the socialist authorities of President Nicolas Maduro in neighboring Venezuela.
In 2019, Duque stated that Maduro's administration "had only a few hours left." On Wednesday he acknowledged receiving criticism for making that remark.
"Possibly, in case you have a look at it in hindsight, perhaps if I checked out it with a self-critical sense, I might say, effectively, I should not have carried out it," Duque stated. "However what I can say clearly is that, thank God, we raised our voice. Thank God, greater than 50 nations reject that dictatorship."
"Many individuals say, effectively, however then you'll finish your authorities in August and Maduro will proceed to be the dictator of Venezuela. Maybe. However I'm not going to cease working a single day in my life for the liberty of Venezuela, as a result of the liberty of Venezuela can be the safety of Colombia," Duque added.
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