A party spokesman confirmed on Saturday that Eric Jean Baptiste, a former presidential contender and chairman of a political party in Haiti, was shot and died. The murders shocked many in a nation that was already in trouble.
Baptiste and his bodyguard were killed on Friday in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Laboule, according to Ricardo Nordain, a spokesman for Baptiste’s Rally of Progressive National Democrats, which was founded in 1979 by former President Leslie Manigat.
Baptiste also owned “Pere Eternel,” one of the largest lottery companies in Haiti.
No arrests have been made.
Premier Ariel Henry stated that he and others were appalled by the murders.
“The heinous murders of political leader Eric Jean Baptiste and his bodyguard have once more thrown the Haitian nation into chaos. We condemn vehemently this horrific crime committed against this hero, this moderate politician dedicated to reform “He sent a tweet.
The murder took place in an area where the Ti Makak gang, whose name translates to “Little Macaques,” is competing with the Toto gang for territorial dominance. In July 2021, President Jovenel Mose was slain in his private mansion in Pelerin, which is located nearby.
Former senator Yvon Buissereth, who worked for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, was murdered and set on fire in August.
In January, two journalists were also murdered and their bodies burned in Laboule.