U.S. Urges Calm in Haiti Following Moise Assassination: State Department

Haitian authorities have made more arrests in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, raiding Taiwan's Embassy where several suspects are believed to have sought refuge, while also detaining two Haitian-Americans and several former Colombian soldiers allegedly tied to the plot.

In all, 17 suspects have been detained and another eight are being sought, according to investigators.

Moïse's brazen killing at his home in an attack before dawn Wednesday that also seriously wounded his wife stunned a nation already reeling from poverty, widespread violence and political instability.

Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who assumed leadership with the backing of police and the military, declared a two-week "state of siege," and asked people to return to work and reopen businesses that were shut down in normally bustling Port-au-Prince. He also ordered the international airport to reopen.

The U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said, "We continue to urge Haitian government officials and political stakeholders to dialog in the best interest of the Haitian people and to refrain from violence."

"We've remained in regular contact with Haitian officials, including the investigative authorities, to discuss how the United States can assist going forward." Price said.

Price acknowledged having spoken to Claude Joseph saying Joseph was "the incumbent" at the time of the assassination and that the United States would continue to work with him.

But Price added that the United States had also "been in contact with" Ariel Henry, who is the Prime Minister designate.

The State Department would not comment on two suspects arrested that are said to be Haitian-Americans.

Colombia's government said it had been asked by Haiti about six of the suspects, including two of the three killed, and had determined they were retired members of its army. It offered its full cooperation.

U.S.-trained Colombian soldiers are heavily recruited by private security firms in global conflict zones because of their experience in a decades-long war against leftist rebels and powerful drug cartels.

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