Welcome back to the Latin America Weekly newsletter! In this issue, president assassination should enhance turmoil in Haiti. Chile’s constituent process to be led by an indigenous academic. Honduras held responsible for 2009 murder of transgender activist.
🚨 Haitian president assassinated as political violence escalates
Jovenel Moïse, the contested president of Haiti, was assassinated on Wednesday morning during an attack at his home on the outskirts of capital Port-au-Prince. His wife Martine was also shot, and there are contradictory reports on her current medical condition.
- “A group of unidentified individuals, some of them speaking Spanish, attacked the private residence of the president and fatally wounded the head of state,” said Prime Minister Claude Joseph, in a statement.
Why it matters. The attack is just the latest incident amid increasing political instability and violence in Haiti. The president’s death is set to prolong turmoil in the country.
The big picture. In February, Mr. Moïse’s opponents attempted to remove him from office, claiming that his term had expired. The president argued that his time in office would only come to an end next year. The government responded to the failed overthrow with dozens of political arrests.
- The dispute revolves around the...