Haiti President Jovenel Moïse, 53, has been assassinated by unknown gunmen who invaded his private residence early Wednesday morning.
The nation’s first lady, Martine Moïse also sustained gunshot injuries and has now been admitted into the hospital to receive medical treatment.
The country’s interim Prime Minister, Claude Joseph, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said he was now in charge of the Caribbean French-speaking country.
Joseph said the attack occurred around 1 a.m. on Wednesday after a group of unidentified foreigners who spoke English and Spanish attacked the private residence of the president, fatally wounding the head of state.
He described the assassination as an “inhumane and barbaric act,” saying the police and the country’s armed forces had taken control of the security situation in the country.
The Prime Minister appealed for calm, noting that all measures are taken to guarantee the continuity of the State and protect the Nation.
Jovenel, a former entrepreneur became the 42nd President of Haiti in 2016.