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Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Haiti Wire)— Joseph Félix Badio, one of the central figures accused in the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, shocked the court on February 10, 2025, by referring to the murder as a “sacrifice.”
Badio, who was arrested in October 2023 after more than two years on the run, continues to deny direct involvement in the killing. However, his recent statements have reignited speculation and controversy over who truly masterminded the assassination.
His hearing, which focused on his appeal against judicial decisions in the case, was marked by a heated exchangebetween the suspect, his lawyers, and the court.
‘The President’s Death Was a Sacrifice’
During the hearing, Badio made a statement that immediately caught the attention of the courtroom and the public:
“The president’s death was a sacrifice.”
He did not clarify whether he meant this literally, metaphorically, or in a political sense. His words left many wondering if he was implying that Moïse was targeted as part of a larger plot involving powerful figures in Haiti and abroad.
Legal experts and analysts quickly dissected the meaning behind his words. Some suggested he could be alluding to a deliberate political execution, while others saw it as an attempt to shift attention away from himself and onto higher-ranking individuals who have yet to face justice.
Throughout the hearing, Badio continued to claim that the investigation into Moïse’s murder was unfair and politically motivated. He argued that the Haitian judiciary was not following legal procedures but instead serving the interests of those in power.
“Haiti has become a wreck of history because of lies. The weight of falsehood paralyzes this society.”
Badio also accused the presiding judge of favoring the prosecution and ignoring key evidence that could prove his innocence. He suggested that powerful individuals were manipulating the case behind the scenes.
Allegations of an International Conspiracy
During his testimony, Badio hinted at the involvement of international actors in Moïse’s assassination, implying that foreign governments and intelligence agencies may have had knowledge of or even participated in the operation.
“We live in a society that only sees the surface. They refuse to look deeper, where the real players operate.”
While he stopped short of naming specific countries or organizations, his remarks fueled further speculation about whether external forces played a role in orchestrating or covering up the murder.
Claims of an Assassination Attempt on His Own Life
Badio also revealed a startling allegation about his arrest in October 2023. He claimed that the police officer who captured him at a supermarket in Pétion-Ville had been ordered to kill him on sight.
“By the grace of God, I am still alive.”
According to Badio, his arrest was never meant to happen. Instead, he suggested that certain figures preferred him dead rather than in custody, where he could testify about what he knows.
These claims, if true, raise serious concerns about whether Haiti’s justice system is being manipulated to silence key figures in the case.
Denying Direct Involvement While Acknowledging Key Connections
Although Badio denied playing a direct role in the assassination, he did not deny that he was in contact with some of the accused Colombian mercenaries and high-ranking Haitian officials before and after Moïse’s death.
“I worked in intelligence. My job required me to know things, but knowing is not the same as doing.”
This admission raises further questions about how much he really knew about the assassination plot and whether he had a role in its planning.
Haitians Await Answers
The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, remains one of Haiti’s most mysterious and politically charged cases.
Over 40 people have been arrested, including Colombian mercenaries, former Haitian government officials, and even suspects with ties to U.S. law enforcement agencies. However, the true masterminds behind the operation have yet to be identified or held accountable.
Badio’s statements during the hearing only deepen the mystery, rather than clarifying the case. His suggestion that Moïse’s death was a “sacrifice” leaves many wondering who, exactly, benefited from the assassination.
The court adjourned the hearing and scheduled a follow-up session for February 17, 2025. Legal experts anticipate that Badio’s defense team will continue to argue that he is a scapegoat while authorities push for further evidence linking him to the assassination plot.
For now, the search for justice in Moïse’s killing remains incomplete, with the Haitian public still waiting for real accountability.
