ERROL BARNETT:
00:00:00
FBI and Homeland Security officials are en route to Haiti to assist investigators there as the political crisis following the assassination of the country's president deepens. US troops will not be going, despite a request for them. CBS's Christina Ruffini is at the White House with more on this. Christina, good evening.
CHRISTINA RUFFINI:
00:00:17
Good evening, Errol. US officials we spoke to expressed concern and surprise that Haiti requested American forces. That's because the country's history is so full of unwanted occupations from foreign powers. But that just goes to show you exactly how precarious the situation has become.
JOHN KIRBY:
00:00:35
We are watching the situation very closely.
CHRISTINA RUFFINI:
00:00:37
Chief DOD spokesman John Kirby said today the Pentagon is still analyzing Haiti's request for military support. But in a statement, the White House said it was engaged with the Haitian government to learn more about their needs, and that a team of federal agents, diplomats, and advisors are being dispatched there today.
JOHN KIRBY:
00:00:55
I think that's really where our energies are best applied right now, in helping them get their arms around investigating this incident and figuring out who's culpable.
CHRISTINA RUFFINI:
00:01:04
The incident happened Wednesday morning when an armed hit squad entered the home of Haitian president Jovenel Moise, killing him and seriously injuring his wife. The assailants then fled into the capital, Port Au Prince. Authorities say a squad of 26 Colombian nationals and two Haitian Americans were responsible. The Americans say they were only working as translators. Yesterday an audio recording alleged to be of First Lady Martine Moise, who is recovering in a Miami hospital, posted to her personal Twitter. In it, she says she is in beautiful condition, but heartbroken, and urges Haitians not to let the assassination become a cause for their country's decline. Now, the White House said it will be sending some aid to Haiti and that's in the form of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines. Errol, Haiti is one of the only countries in the world not to have administered a single dose.
ERROL BARNETT:
00:02:00
Cristina Ruffini, thank you.
