Claude Joseph, who was prime minister on the day of Jovenel Moïse's assassination, is running for president

He still held this position on the night of the assassination.

Thirteen Days

What follows happens in less than two weeks. The day after the president’s death, Claude Joseph announces that he is in control of the country and attributes the attack to "a group of unidentified individuals, some of whom spoke Spanish and English." On July 8, UN Special Envoy Helen La Lime declares that he will lead the country until an election, and Washington recognizes him as interim Prime Minister. On July 9, eight out of ten senators designate Senate President Joseph Lambert as provisional president. Ariel Henry, whom Jovenel Moïse had chosen without ever installing him, also contests his authority, and the group of diplomats known as the Core Group calls for Henry to take charge of the government.

On July 19, Claude Joseph announces to the Washington Post that he is stepping down. He says he respects the last wishes of the assassinated president and denies, in an interview with The New York Times, having yielded to international pressure. Ariel Henry takes the oath of office the following day.

The Indictment, Then Its Reversal

On September 3, 2022, he launches his own party, EDE. Four days later, the Dominican Republic declares him persona non grata and bans him from entering its territory.

Claude Joseph and Martine Moïse are charged with complicity and criminal association; the order states that they allegedly conspired to replace the president with his Prime Minister. Léon Charles is being prosecuted for murder and attempted murder.

Claude Joseph has rejected these charges. He has stated that Ariel Henry orchestrated the proceedings for political reasons, designating him as "the main beneficiary" of the assassination. On October 13, 2025, the indictment was overturned on appeal and a new investigation ordered. To date, no conviction has been handed down against him in this case.

He is not listed on the Security Council's sanctions list related to Haiti, verified on October 17, 2026 on the committee created by Resolution 2653.

What remains unestablished: neither Claude Joseph nor EDE have published a program for this election, and we have been unable to determine where the reopened investigation stands. The CEP, however, publishes only the name, gender, position, structure, and locality for each candidate.