He wasn't a professional assassin or a seasoned political mercenary. He was a musician. Specifically, a rapper who went by the name Paradise. While the world watched in horror as Haiti spiraled into a vacuum of power following the 2021 assassination of Jovenel Moïse, a name surfaced that felt like it belonged in a movie script rather than a police report. Paradise, whose real name was Raymond Latané, wasn't the mastermind, but he became a central face in a conspiracy that felt both amateurish and terrifyingly effective.
People always ask how a rapper gets involved in a presidential hit. It’s a mess. Honestly, the whole situation in Port-au-Prince at the time was so chaotic that the lines between street culture, music, and paramilitary activity just sort of blurred together.
The Night Everything Changed for Haiti
On July 7, 2021, a group of armed men stormed the private residence of President Jovenel Moïse in Pèlerin 5. It was roughly 1:00 AM. The attackers claimed to be part of a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operation. They weren't. They were a mix of Colombian mercenaries and Haitian-Americans. Among the chaos, the involvement of local figures like Paradise began to emerge as investigators peeled back the layers of who provided the ground support.
Moïse was shot 12 times. His wife, Martine Moïse, survived but was seriously injured. The brutality was shocking, even for a country that has seen its fair share of political upheaval. But the identity of the perpetrators is where the story gets weird. It wasn't just a foreign hit squad; it was a patchwork of people with vastly different motivations.
Who Was Paradise (Raymond Latané)?
Before the assassination, Raymond Latané was known in the Haitian hip-hop scene. He wasn't a global superstar, but he had a following. He represented a specific vibe in the streets—someone who was vocal about the struggles of the people but also deeply embedded in the "militia" culture that defines parts of Port-au-Prince.
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Why did he do it? Some say it was money. Others think he was a "useful idiot" for more powerful players. In Haiti, the "G9 an Fanmi e Alye" gang federation and other armed groups often recruit influencers and artists to legitimize their presence. Paradise was allegedly part of the logistical chain that allowed the Colombian mercenaries to move through the city undetected. You can't just drop 20+ foreigners into a neighborhood like Pèlerin without local help. That’s where guys like him came in.
The Mercenary Connection
The core of the hit squad consisted of about 26 Colombians, many of whom were retired soldiers. They were recruited by a Florida-based company called CTU Security. The plan was purportedly to arrest Moïse, not kill him, according to some of the suspects' testimonies. But plans change. Or, more likely, the "arrest" was always a front for an execution.
- Christian Emmanuel Sanon: A Haitian doctor/pastor in Florida who allegedly wanted to become President.
- Joseph Badio: A former justice ministry official accused of giving the final order.
- The South Florida Link: Multiple suspects had ties to Miami, leading to a massive FBI investigation.
Paradise was caught in the middle of this. He wasn't the guy writing the checks, but he was reportedly on the ground. When the Haitian National Police (PNH) began their raids, his name started popping up in witness statements. The tragedy of the "rapper who killed the president" isn't just about the murder; it's about how the arts and the underworld collided in a failing state.
Why This Case Still Haunts Haiti
Haiti hasn't had an election since the assassination. Not one. The country is basically run by gangs now. Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier, the most famous gang leader, often cites the corruption surrounding the Moïse investigation as a reason for his "revolution."
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The investigation has been a nightmare. Judges have resigned in fear. One judge fled the country after his office was ransacked. Another died in suspicious circumstances. When we talk about Paradise and his role, we have to acknowledge that the full truth might never come out because the people holding the files are terrified of being the next victim.
It's sorta crazy when you think about it. A rapper—someone whose job is to create—ended up being a gear in a machine that destroyed the last remnants of Haitian stability. It highlights the desperation of the youth in Port-au-Prince. If a successful musician feels his best path forward is joining a presidential hit squad, what does that say about the rest of the country?
The Legal Fallout and Current Status
As of 2024 and moving into 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice has taken the lead because the Haitian justice system is effectively paralyzed. Several key players, including Rodolphe Jaar and former Colombian officer Germán Rivera, have been sentenced to life in prison in Miami courts.
As for the local suspects like Paradise, their fate is much murkier. Many were held in the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince. In March 2024, gangs stormed that very prison, leading to a mass breakout of nearly 4,000 inmates. The confusion following the jailbreak means that several people involved in the assassination are now back on the streets or dead.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People love a simple narrative. They want to believe it was a CIA coup or a simple gang hit. It was neither and both. It was a "poly-conspiracy." You had Florida businessmen looking for construction contracts, a pastor with a Messiah complex, Colombian soldiers looking for a paycheck, and local figures like Paradise providing the muscle and navigation.
It wasn't a clean operation. It was messy. The attackers stayed in the house for hours. They stole money and documents. They didn't even have a solid escape plan, which is why so many were caught within 48 hours.
Practical Takeaways for Understanding the Haiti Crisis
If you are following this story or trying to understand why Haiti is in its current state, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- The Vacuum of Power: Without a president or a functioning parliament, Haiti is currently governed by a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). The legitimacy of this body is constantly challenged by the gangs.
- The International Role: The U.S. and the U.N. are pushing for a Kenyan-led security mission to restore order. This is highly controversial in Haiti due to the poor track record of previous U.N. missions.
- The Music-Gang Pipeline: In many marginalized communities, the "tough guy" persona of rap isn't just an act; it's a survival strategy that leads to dangerous alliances. The story of Paradise is a cautionary tale of what happens when that persona becomes reality.
- Follow the Money: The Florida connection is the most reliable source of information. If you want to know what really happened, look at the court transcripts from the Southern District of Florida. They have the phone records and the financial trails that the Haitian police can't or won't release.
The story of the rapper who helped kill a president serves as a grim reminder that in a state of collapse, anyone can be recruited for anything. The music stopped for Paradise a long time ago, but the silence he helped create in Haiti's political halls continues to be deafening.
Next Steps for Staying Informed
To get the most accurate updates on the ongoing trials and the state of the investigation:
- Monitor the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) press releases regarding the Southern District of Florida cases.
- Follow journalists like Jacqueline Charles at the Miami Herald, who has provided the most consistent and deeply sourced reporting on the ground in Haiti.
- Look for reports from Human Rights Watch regarding the treatment of suspects and the status of the Haitian judicial system following the 2024 prison breaks.