On trial now

Christian Emmanuel Sanon

Also known as: “Kumbe”, “Pumba”, “Bubba”, “Mr. President”

Status: On trial in Miami since Sept 28, 2026 — pleaded not guilty; no verdict yet
Role in the case: Alleged organiser and intended beneficiary: the candidate the plotters first planned to install as president. Prosecutors say he recruited and gathered the conspirators, raised money, and arranged travel, lodging, weapons and vests. His defence: he had presidential ambitions but was sidelined, and never knew of a plan to kill Moïse. Faces 8 charges and life in prison. Presumed innocent.
Background: Haitian-American, 67 in 2026. Self-styled physician and pastor, a former Florida Baptist Convention Haitian church-planting director who lived intermittently in South Florida since the 2000s. Arrested in Haiti on July 11, 2021 and transferred to U.S. custody in early 2023; his case was severed from the March 2026 trial for medical reasons.

In the timeline

April 2021

June 2021

July 6, 2021 — evening

July 11, 2021

February 14, 2023

March 2026

March 9–10, 2026

Source:AP

September 28–29, 2026

October 9, 2026

On trial now

Also known as: “Kumbe”, “Pumba”, “Bubba”, “Mr. President”

Status: On trial in Miami since Sept 28, 2026 — pleaded not guilty; no verdict yet
Role in the case: Alleged organiser and intended beneficiary: the candidate the plotters first planned to install as president. Prosecutors say he recruited and gathered the conspirators, raised money, and arranged travel, lodging, weapons and vests. His defence: he had presidential ambitions but was sidelined, and never knew of a plan to kill Moïse. Faces 8 charges and life in prison. Presumed innocent.
Background: Haitian-American, 67 in 2026. Self-styled physician and pastor, a former Florida Baptist Convention Haitian church-planting director who lived intermittently in South Florida since the 2000s. Arrested in Haiti on July 11, 2021 and transferred to U.S. custody in early 2023; his case was severed from the March 2026 trial for medical reasons.