Former Colombian Soldier Pleads Guilty in 2021 Assassination of Haiti’s President

Former Colombian Soldier Pleads Guilty in 2021 Assassination of Haiti’s President
An artist rendering shows Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios with his attorney Alfredo Izaguirre before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Becerra in federal court in Miami on Feb. 4, 2022. Daniel Pontet via AP
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MIAMI—A former Colombian soldier pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, which plunged the Caribbean nation into violence and political turmoil.

Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, 45, pleaded guilty to three charges, including conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States, during a brief hearing before federal Judge José E. Martínez. Seated next to his attorney, Alfredo Izaguirre, Mr. Palacios answered “Yes, your honor,” in Spanish when the judge asked if he was pleading guilty.