According to interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph , Haitian President Jovenel Moise had been killed

Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph stated on Wednesday that Haitian President Jovenel Moise had been murdered and his wife had been injured in an armed attack at their house. Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said that he had taken command of the country and advised the public to be peaceful, stating that the police and army would secure the safety of the people.

Foreigners who spoke English and Spanish murdered the president at his residence, Joseph added.

Moise has been reigning by decree in Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, after parliamentary elections scheduled for 2018 were postponed owing to disagreements, notably over when his own mandate would finish.

Aside from the political crises, kidnappings for ransom have increased in recent months, showing armed gangs’ rising power in the Caribbean island. Haiti is also plagued by extreme poverty and natural calamities.

The president encountered widespread opposition from citizens who believed his mandate was invalid, and he went through seven prime ministers in 4 years. Joseph, who had only been in the position for 3 months, was set to be replaced this week.

In September, in addition to presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, Haiti was scheduled to hold a constitutional referendum, which had been postponed twice owing to the coronavirus outbreak.