Colombia's president offers support to veterans extradited to US over Haitian leader's killing

BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella offered legal assistance Tuesday to a group of Colombian military veterans who were arrested over the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and recently extradited from the Caribbean country to Florida after their case languished for years.In a message on X, the Colombian leader said his government will provide economic support to the families of the 17 Colombian suspects, who are expected to face trial in Florida. He also said he had ordered Colombia’s ministries of justice and defense to provide them with legal support.“The innocent cannot pay for crimes committed by sinners,” de la Espriella wrote. “I want to know exactly what happened and for the responsibility of each individual to be cleared up.”At least 22 Colombian veterans, working for a Florida security contractor, are believed to have been involved in a July 2021 raid on the home of Moïse that resulted in his assassination.Three Colombians were killed in clashes after the killing, while the other 17 were arrested in Haiti. Another Colombian veteran, Mario Antonio Palacios, escaped from Haiti but was later extradited to Florida, where he was senten...