Through a statement, the integration bloc called for peace in the Caribbean nation and extended a message of solidarity to the Haitian people, relatives and friends of the president, who was gunned down this morning at his residence in Port-au-Prince by unknown armed men.

The Government of Haiti decreed this Wednesday national mourning and a state of siege throughout the country, in order to gather information that would allow the arrest of the dignitary’s murderers.

The provision will allow the authorities to conduct searches at homes of any person, ban meetings and establish special security measures when the situation requires it.

They will also control access to traffic lanes and strengthen security systems.

The assassination occurred at early hours on Wednesday, as confirmed by interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, at the hands of a group of armed men, allegedly of foreign nationality.

First lady Martine Moïse was injured during the attack, and according to local media she was transported by plane to a hospital in Florida, United States.

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