PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian law enforcement officials have taken into custody legislator Arnel Belizaire following accusations of terrorism financing and conspiring against national security, according to authorities.
This capture represents another chapter in Belizaire’s troubled legal history within a nation where influential political leaders have historically avoided consequences for their actions. Several of these figures have connections to funding and backing criminal organizations that maintain control over roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital city.
The country’s National Police revealed the arrest Sunday evening, bringing to a close their search for the prominent politician that began approximately two months earlier.
Previously, Belizaire dismissed the warrant for his arrest as politically motivated harassment. Legal representation for him could not immediately be confirmed.
Just days before his capture, Belizaire had completed registration for his newly formed political organization ahead of the scheduled general election.
The United States had already designated Belizaire for “significant corruption” in the previous year, implementing travel restrictions that prevent him and his close family from entering American territory.
Belizaire’s legal troubles date back to the early 2000s when he faced arrest on unlawful firearms possession, resulting in imprisonment. After breaking out of custody and being recaptured, he managed another escape during Haiti’s catastrophic 2010 earthquake.
Following his 2011 election to Haiti’s legislative body, authorities detained him again after discovering his earthquake-related escape. However, he gained freedom through political intervention.
Years later, Belizaire faced another arrest on weapons trafficking allegations, though prosecutors ultimately dismissed those charges.
