This testimony came during the ongoing U.S. trial of four South Florida-based men accused of conspiring in the plot to kill President Moïse. The men—part of a larger group that included former Colombian soldiers hired as mercenaries—are charged with conspiracy to kidnap or murder a foreign official, among other counts. Prosecutors allege the assassination was orchestrated by individuals with ties to Haitian-American businessmen and security firms in Florida, motivated by political and financial grievances against Moïse's administration.
Martine Moïse, now 51, took the stand as the government's star witness, delivering her first detailed public recounting of the night since shortly after the attack. Speaking through a Creole interpreter and frequently overcome with emotion, she introduced herself tearfully: "I am Martine Moïse, I am Mrs. Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated at our house. I am the First Lady of Haiti. Please forgive me if I'm crying." She explained that she had promised her late husband she would never cry again, but after more than four years of waiting for justice, the memories proved overwhelming.
According to her testimony, the couple had gone to bed around 10 p.m. at their hilltop home in Pétion-Ville, near Port-au-Prince. Around 1 a.m., they were awakened by the sound of gunfire outside the residence. Martine turned to her husband in terror, asking what was happening. Jovenel Moïse, looking shocked, responded with the resigned words: "Honey, we are dead." She described seeing the fear in his eyes as the reality set in that intruders had breached their security.
The attackers—described by Martine as speaking Spanish and using nicknames—stormed the bedroom. She recalled crawling on her hands and knees to check on their children (a daughter and son) and family dog, who had hidden in another room, before returning to hide with her husband. They attempted to take cover on opposite sides of the bed, using the mattress for protection. Gunfire erupted inside the room; Martine was shot twice (including in the elbow and thigh) and played dead after the assailants riddled her husband with bullets. She testified that the entire incident lasted about 45 minutes, during which the gunmen ransacked the room, searched files, and ultimately left, believing she too had been killed.
Jovenel Moïse, 53, was shot multiple times—reports from the scene indicated up to 12 wounds to his face, chest, and limbs—and died at the scene. His body was found on the floor beside the bed, bathed in blood. Martine survived her injuries after being airlifted to a hospital in Miami for emergency treatment.
In her emotional testimony, Martine emphasized the personal devastation: the couple had been married for nearly 25 years after meeting at the University of Quisqueya in Port-au-Prince. She broke down recalling their life together and the abrupt end. Prosecutors highlighted her account of the attackers speaking Spanish to support claims that the operation involved Colombian mercenaries recruited for the hit.
The assassination plunged Haiti into deeper chaos, exacerbating political instability, gang violence, and economic woes in an already fragile nation. It followed years of controversy during Moïse's presidency, including disputes over his term extension, allegations of corruption, and failed democratic processes. Investigations in Haiti and the U.S. have implicated dozens, with a Haitian judge in 2024 indicting over 50 people—including, controversially, Martine Moïse herself on conspiracy charges (though she has denied involvement and remains in hiding due to safety fears).
Martine has since fled Haiti, citing ongoing threats from those she believes orchestrated the killing and may want her silenced. In earlier statements, including a 2021 audio message and interviews, she accused unnamed forces of targeting her husband to derail Haiti's democratic transition. She has called for justice and urged her country not to "lose its way."
The Miami trial, which began in early March 2026 after years of delays, is expected to last four to six weeks. Martine's testimony has been central, providing a firsthand victim's perspective amid a complex web of allegations involving political intrigue, hired killers, and international elements. Her recounting of Jovenel Moïse's last words—"Honey, we are dead"—has resonated widely, underscoring the terror and helplessness of that night and serving as a poignant reminder of the personal toll behind Haiti's ongoing crisis.
As the proceedings continue, the focus remains on establishing the full chain of responsibility for one of the most shocking political assassinations in recent history. Martine Moïse's courage in testifying, despite her trauma and the risks involved, highlights the enduring quest for accountability in a nation still reeling from the loss of its last democratically elected leader.
