Colombia’s government says consul in Haiti received threats

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s international minister mentioned Tuesday the nation’s consul in Haiti has obtained threats after making an attempt to supply humanitarian help to 18 former Colombia troopers who had been arrested final 12 months for allegedly collaborating within the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.

Overseas Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez didn't present particulars on the character of the threats aimed toward Julio Cesar Santa Martinez. She additionally didn't touch upon who made them.

Colombia doesn’t have an embassy in Haiti, and Santa Martinez has been the nation’s sole consultant as honorary consul since 2016. He offers restricted hyperlinks for Colombian residents in Haiti with the Colombian Embassy within the neighboring Dominican Republic.

The international ministry mentioned that final 12 months the consul visited the detained former troopers a number of instances to examine on their well being and has additionally offered them with toiletries and different gadgets despatched by their family members in Colombia.

Colombia has supplied to assist Haitian authorities examine the homicide of Moise, who was shot to demise final 12 months when gunmen invaded his house. Haitian officers allege the assault was carried out by a gaggle of former Colombian troopers working for a personal safety agency.

Colombia’s authorities has complained that the previous troopers have been mistreated in Haitian prisons.

In August, Ramirez despatched a letter urging the Worldwide Purple Cross go to the prisoners and doc their situation. She mentioned that two of the the ex-soldiers had been tortured and that none had been supplied with legal professionals.

Haiti has arrested dozens of individuals for Moise’s killing, however none have been formally charged.