Haiti ex-senator John Joel Joseph has entered a guilty plea in a Miami federal court to charges related to the 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moise, AP reports.

Joseph changed his plea after reaching an agreement with the US government.

Federal Judge Jose Martinez scheduled Joseph's sentencing for December 19.

While Joseph faces the possibility of a life sentence, the US government is expected to recommend a reduced sentence if he cooperates with the ongoing investigation, as outlined in the plea agreement.

John Joel Joseph had been extradited from Jamaica to the United States in June to face charges of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and providing material support that resulted in death, with the knowledge or intention that such support would be used to plan or execute the conspiracy to kill or kidnap.

Joseph, a well-known politician and an opponent of the late President Moïse's Tet Kale party, is one of 11 individuals facing charges related to the assassination in South Florida.

Two other individuals have also pleaded guilty in the case: Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar, who was sentenced to life in prison in June, and former Colombian soldier German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, scheduled for sentencing on October 27.

Eight additional defendants are awaiting trial in the United States.

According to the charges, Joseph, along with about 20 Colombian citizens and several dual Haitian-American citizens, partook in a conspiracy to kidnap or kill Haiti's president, who was assassinated at his home in Haiti on July 7, 2021.

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Haiti Ex-Senator John Joel Joseph's Statement

John Joel Joseph admitted to being present at meetings where the assassination of President Jovenel Moise was discussed, including one that occurred the night before the killing was carried out, Reuters noted.

The assassination of President Moïse, which took place in his bedroom two years ago, left a political vacuum in Haiti.

This vacuum allowed violent gangs to expand their territorial control, making them de facto authorities across significant portions of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

These gangs engaged in a wave of violence, including killings, kidnappings, and gang rapes.

John Joel Joseph was arrested in Jamaica and later became the third individual to be charged with involvement in President Moïse's murder in May of the previous year.

His guilty plea follows that of retired Colombian army officer German Rivera last month and that of dual Haitian-Chilean citizen Rodolphe Jaar in March.

Rivera's sentencing is scheduled for October 27, while Jaar received a life sentence.

Violence in Haiti

A year ago, Haiti's unelected government urgently called for international assistance to restore order in the country, according to DW.

In response, the United Nations Security Council recently approved the deployment of a Kenya-led international force to provide operational support to Haiti's national police.

This force, however, has yet to materialize on the ground, leaving Haiti in a state of ongoing instability.

Elections in Haiti have not taken place since 2016, with the interim government initially promising them for 2023.

However, Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry later stated that elections could not be held under the current security circumstances.

Haiti remains plagued by violence and political instability, making the situation increasingly dire.

Nairobi volunteered to lead the international force to support Haiti's national police, and it is prepared to deploy up to 1,000 personnel.

However, the deployment is temporarily delayed due to a legal challenge in Kenyan courts filed by an opposition politician, with a decision expected by October 24.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Former Haitian senator arrested for assassination of Moïse - From TeleSUR English