Several leaders within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are today (July 7) expressing shock, condemnation and solidarity with member country Haiti in reaction to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

So far, statements from prime ministers Hubert Minnis, Dr Timothy Harris, Andrew Holness, Allen Chastanet, Mia Mottley, John Briceño and Dr Keith Rowley as well as President Irfaan Ali have emerged within the last couple of hours.

Moïse, 53, was shot and killed by unidentified assailants at his private residence in Port-au-Prince. His wife and First Lady Martine Moïse was also gravely injured, according to reports from local media.

The assassination is the first incident to hit the Caribbean in nearly four decades, after the murder of Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop in October 1983.

Here are the statements below:

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados

The assassination of President Moise of Haiti is an atrocious act which Barbados vehemently condemns. Violence can never be a solution, and must be rejected in all circumstances.
Barbados urges all to pause and work at all costs for peace. The Haitian people deserve this. It is the necessary foundation for their stability and for democracy to emerge to protect them against the many vagaries they face, man-made and otherwise.
We pray for the swift recovery of his wife.

Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is shocked at the tragic developments in Haiti with the assassination of the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse earlier this morning.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family of President Moïse and to the Government and People of Haiti, our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on this most distressing occurrence.
Trinidad and Tobago pledges to work together with our CARICOM colleagues and other hemispheric and international partners to support Haiti at this very difficult time.

Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica

This morning the world awoke to the shocking and tragic news of the assassination of Haiti’s President His Excellency Jovenel Moise. I have met and spoken with President Moise many times and in all my interactions with him, particularly within the context of CARICOM, I found him to be a man committed to seeing Haiti take her place in the world. This heinous act is a stain on Haiti and a sorrowful time for the region. May God be a special covering over his family and over the people of Haiti during this dark time in the nation’s history.

Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of St Lucia

On behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia, I convey our deepest sympathies to Haiti. We condemn the heinous assassination of President Jovenel Möise and all acts of violence. We pray for stability and peace as the Region mourns his passing.

Dr Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis

It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the extremely sad news of the assassination of the President of the Republic of #Haiti Jovenel Moïse. I also understand that the First Lady was also seriously injured in the attack and is now receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
On my own behalf and that of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I extend sincere condolences to the family and the people of Haiti and hope that they may find solace and comfort even during this traumatic and challenging time.
We condemn this heinous and cowardly act and hope that those responsible will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. We pray for calm and that good reason will prevail. Let us continue to keep the people of our sister CARICOM Member State in our thoughts and prayers, and as a show of solidarity reach out to the Haitian population who have come to call St. Kitts and Nevis their home.

Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas

This morning, we awoke to the very sad and disturbing news of the death of Jovenel Moise, the President of the Republic of Haiti, who was killed at his residence at about 1:00 am today, Wednesday 7 July 2021.
A statement by Prime Minister Dr. Claude Joseph released this morning confirmed the assassination of President Moise and that the President’s wife, First Lady Moise, was also seriously injured.
The Government of The Bahamas is deeply saddened by these developments and strongly condemns the actions of the perpetrators. We offer our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Haiti.
The Heads of Government of CARICOM at its 42nd meeting, which concluded on 6 July 2021, discussed the ongoing situation in Haiti and offered its assistance in finding a peaceful resolution to the political crises.
I have been in contact with the Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains in contact with our Embassy in Haiti. All staff are safe. The Embassy is monitoring the situation.
We pray for the people of Haiti and for a peaceful resolution to the political crises.

Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana

I am shocked and stunned by the tragic news of the assassination of the President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Jovenel Moïse. This horrific act is a tragedy for both Haiti and the Caribbean.
Those responsible for this indefensible and cowardly execution must be brought swiftly to justice.
Political assassination has no place in the contemporary Caribbean. It solves nothing nor resolves anything. Such murderous actions are repugnant to the values of the regional integration movement and incompatible with democratic values and constitutional rule.
The assassination of President Moïse compound the already disquieting political and constitutional crisis in Haiti. Guyana will continue to work with the Caribbean Community in seeking to engage with Haiti in order to ensure peace and stability.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Guyana, and on my own behalf, I extend deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Haiti and to family of President Moïse.
I ask all Guyanese to respectfully pay homage to the memory of the late President Moïse.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize

Prayers and condolences from Rossana and me go out to the family of Haitian President, Jovenel Moise. May those who committed this heinous act be held accountable. I encourage the people of our regional neighbours, Haiti, to move forward through these uncertain times peacefully.

Read more:

• Haitian president assassinated at home in ‘barbaric act’ -PM
• Holness, Golding, Hanna saddened by Moise assassination and ensuing Haitian turmoil