Jovenel Moïse

Jovenel Moïse (born June 26, 1968, Trou du Nord, Haiti—killed July 7, 2021, Pétion-Ville) was a Haitian businessman and politician who served as president from 2017 until his assassination in office in 2021. A political outsider, he was a controversial figure in Haitian public life. He won the presidency following a disputed electoral process, and his term was characterized by political instability, economic crisis, gang violence, corruption allegations, and mass protests. On July 7, 2021, Moïse was assassinated in his private residence, reportedly by a team of 28 mercenaries.

Early life and career

Moïse was born on June 26, 1968, in Trou du Nord, northeastern Haiti. In 1974 Moïse moved with his mother and siblings to Port-au-Prince, where he completed his schooling. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in political science from Quisqueya University, where he reportedly met his wife, Martine Marie Étienne. In 1996 he relocated to Port-de-Paix, his wife’s hometown, and began his career as a businessman. Moïse soon became involved in business centered on agriculture—most notably in the banana plantation enterprise, dealing with the fruit’s production and export. In the mid-2010s his venture, which was by then a major player in the country’s banana plantation industry, received a $6 million loan from the Haitian government, reportedly to further boost banana production in the country. Moïse’s business activities and subsequent political rise were closely associated with Pres. Michel Martelly. Martelly chose Moïse as his successor, and Moïse entered politics as the presidential candidate for Martelly’s Haitian Tèt Kale Party (Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale; PHTK). He was promoted as a novice politician with an entrepreneurial background and was popularly called the “Banana Man.”

Presidency

In the first round of the presidential election held on October 25, 2015, Moïse received about 33 percent of the vote, qualifying for a second-round runoff election. However, allegations of electoral fraud, as well as a disputed exit poll showing far lower support for Moïse, triggered mass protests that prevented the scheduled runoff election from taking place. In a new election held on November 20, 2016, Moïse won about 55 percent of the vote, a clear majority that avoided the need for a runoff. Although opposition parties claimed irregularities in voting, the results were upheld this time, and Moïse was inaugurated as president in February 2017.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.

SIGN UP

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Moïse’s presidency was primarily characterized by increasing political unrest, economic instability, and rising insecurity, including the growing influence of armed gangs. Mass anti-government protests against corruption allegations—particularly the PetroCaribe scandal, which involved alleged government misuse of aid funds provided by Venezuela—recurred throughout his tenure.

Moïse’s term was also contested by several opposition politicians, who argued that it should have ended in February 2021, five years after the originally scheduled presidential inauguration in 2016. Moïse, however, maintained that his term began with his 2017 inauguration and would thus end in 2022. Moreover, his government’s failure to organize legislative elections resulted in the expiration of parliamentary mandates, leaving 20 of Haiti’s 30 Senate (upper house) seats vacant and the Chamber of Deputies (lower house) without any sitting members. Moïse subsequently ruled by decree and attempted to unilaterally draft a new constitution that granted the presidency more power without consulting the Haitian people, a move that led to accusations of authoritarianism and further protests against his government.

Assassination

On July 7, 2021, Moïse was assassinated at his private residence in Pétion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. According to several reports, a team of 26 Colombian and 2 Haitian American mercenaries gained access to the compound and shot him multiple times. His wife was wounded in the attack but survived.

In the aftermath several suspected mercenaries were killed during security operations in Haiti, and others were arrested in Haiti and in surrounding countries. Investigations were initiated by the Haitian authorities and U.S. law enforcement agencies, partly because aspects of the plot, including financing and recruitment, were linked to individuals and organizations based in the United States. In May 2026 a federal jury in Miami convicted four men associated with the Florida-based security company Counter Terrorism Unit Federal Academy of participating in the conspiracy to assassinate Moïse. Prosecutors stated that the operation involved former Colombian soldiers and efforts to install new Haitian leadership following Moïse’s removal from power. Despite the convictions, questions remained about who ultimately directed the assassination plot.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

SUBSCRIBE