US Presidential Delegation to Haiti ‘Safe and Accounted for’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States says that its presidential delegation that attended the funeral of assassinated President Jovenel Moise was “safe and accounted for”, saying that those traveling from Washington have arrived safely back in the United States. 

On Friday, President Joe Biden announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Haiti to pay respects to the late President who was assassinated in his home on the suburbs of Port-au-Prince on July 7.

The delegation, which was headed by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, also comprised Michele J. Sison, US Ambassador to Haiti; Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee; Jeff Fortenberry, Member of Congress, US House of Representatives; Daniel Foote, Special Envoy to Haiti; and Juan S. Gonzalez, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere, National Security Council. 

Less than a half-hour into the funeral service, foreign dignitaries, including the American delegation, left over safety concerns triggered by gunshots fired outside the event. 

The funeral was held in the family compound of the assassinated president, just outside the northern Haitian city of Cap-Haïtien.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Friday that the United States “remains deeply concerned about the situation on the ground in Haiti. 

“We strongly urge all parties to express themselves peacefully, and call on Haiti’s leaders to be clear that their supporters must refrain from violence,” he said. “In this critical moment, Haiti’s leaders must work together and engage in a broad and inclusive dialogue that is reflective of the will of the Haitian people. 

“The Presidential Delegation, led by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and joined by Representative Meeks and Representative Fortenberry, met with senior Haitian officials and civil society leaders and shared this message directly,” he added. “The United States will continue to provide requested assistance, including equipment and training, to the Haitian National Police and the Government of Haiti amid ongoing security challenges.”

Additionally, Sullivan said the US Departments of Justice and Homeland Security are providing investigative assistance to the Haitian authorities at the request of the Government of Haiti, and will keep working closely with its international partners to support the Haitian government, “as it seeks to hold accountable those responsible for the assassination of President Moïse.” 

“The United States stands with the people of Haiti in this challenging time,” he said.