Ernst Dorfeuille, an undercover Haitian police officer, was leaving Big Star Market in Port-au-Prince last Thursday when he spotted a familiar face: Joseph Félix Badio, a former government official and a key suspect in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. This was the second time Dorfeuille had encountered Badio, who now sported a gray beard and salt and pepper hair, in a Pétionville market. Determined not to let him escape again, Dorfeuille swiftly called his boss, Haiti National Police Commissioner Mackenzie Jacques, who arrived at the scene and dispatched a team of officers in unmarked vehicles.
Hidden from view, the officers waited for Badio. Moments later, Badio emerged from the market with a small shopping bag, got into his SUV, and began to leave the parking lot. However, a white police pickup truck and a gray Toyota SUV blocked his path, and armed police officers quickly approached. Badio stepped out of the vehicle with his hands raised, defiantly shouting in Creole, “What’s going on?” He continued to yell “Kidnapping! Kidnapping!” as the police moved in. Shoppers, mistakening the situation for a kidnapping, reported an ongoing crime. Upon hearing the call on the police radio, Dorfeuille interjected, “Standby.” And then, the radio delivered the news: “We’ve just arrested Joseph Félix Badio.”
The arrest of Badio, 27 months after the assassination of President Moïse, has injected new life into the investigation in Haiti. Despite over 40 arrests, including three Haitian Americans who were later transferred to Miami, no one in Haiti has been formally charged in connection to the assassination. Badio is currently being held and questioned in Haiti, but he may be transferred to Miami as the 12th defendant in the FBI’s case.
In Miami, two of the 11 people charged with plotting or supporting the president’s killing will appear separately in federal court this week. Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios and German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, aka “Col. Mike,” were former Colombian soldiers involved in the plot. Palacios’ attorneys are seeking to have a confession he made to FBI agents thrown out, while Rivera, who was part of the convoy that went to Moïse’s residence, has already pleaded guilty and could face life in prison. Meanwhile, FBI agents are eager to speak with Badio, as his name has been mentioned by several suspects in connection with the plot.
Badio, who was fired from the police anti-corruption unit two months before the assassination, has been seen as a key figure in the plot. However, he has denied any involvement. The arrest provides hope for progress in the investigation, although there are concerns that someone may attempt to silence Badio if he remains in Haiti for too long.
The arrest of Badio has also raised questions about how he managed to remain free for so long. Police recently arrested five individuals who were visiting Badio’s residence in Fort-Jacques, including a self-described journalist and three lawyers. Local journalist Hérold Jean Francois, who witnessed the arrest at Big Star Market, expressed surprise that Badio had been able to move freely without recognition. Human rights advocate Pierre Esperance, while crediting Dorfeuille and Jacques for the arrest, criticized the operation as haphazard and suspected there was a lack of will to apprehend Badio sooner.
In addition to Badio’s arrest, the Department of Justice announced the indictment of gang leader Vitel’homme Innocent, who is accused of protecting Badio. Innocent, who already had a $1 million FBI bounty for his arrest relating to the abduction of 16 American missionaries, accompanied former Sen. Joseph Joël John when he rented vehicles used in the plot. The investigation into the assassination of President Moïse continues, with Badio’s arrest bringing renewed attention to the case.
