The United States Department of Justice issued a statement Tuesday explaining its charges against Colombian national Mario Antonio Palacios, including “conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States” in connection with the July assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise. He was also charged with “providing material support resulting in death.”

Palacios was arrested based on a criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint alleges that Palacios was one among approximately 20 other Colombian citizens and Haiti-based Haitian-American citizens participating in a conspiracy to kill or kidnap the former Haitian leader. A crew of gunmen, allegedly including Palacios, stormed the former Haitian president’s residence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on July 7, 2021. The plot that initially was to kidnap the president resulted in his death.

Palacios evaded arrest in Haiti and traveled to Jamaica, from where he was deported. US authorities extradited Palacios during a layover in Panama on his way back to Haiti. While Haiti has arrested several people in connection to the murder, it has not charged anyone. Palacios is the first to be officially charged for the offense. If found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life. His next hearing is on January 31, 2022.

The president’s murder resulted in increased political instability in the Caribbean nation. Ariel Henry assumed the positions of interim Prime Minister and President soon after the assassination, a move welcomed by the US government. On Saturday, during a celebration on the anniversary of Haiti’s independence, shooters attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The Haitian government has issued arrest warrants for those behind the attempt.