BOGOTA, Colombia 

Colombian President Gustavo Petro apologized to Haiti on Wednesday for the involvement of Colombian nationals in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

"That's why I'm here…to ask you for forgiveness, because Colombians, dark in their hearts, white in their skin, paid as mercenaries with interests in the state of Florida, decided to come to these lands to kill. I apologize," Petro said during his visit to the southeastern city of Jacmel on the Caribbean island.

In July 2021, 17 Colombian former soldiers were arrested and accused of participating in the armed commando unit that killed Moise with 12 gunshot wounds at his private residence in the capital Port-au-Prince.

The case has led to the arrest of more than 40 people, including former Haitian officials, police officers, Haitian Americans and foreign nationals accused of aiding the plot. However, no convictions have been made.

The accused Colombians claim they were deceived and have reported being tortured and pressured to take responsibility for the crime.

Moise's assassination exacerbated Haiti's political, economic and social issues, which have since left the island in a deep crisis.

Petro’s visit has faced criticism from the Colombian opposition, who argue that he should not have traveled amid a humanitarian crisis in Colombia’s Catatumbo region caused by violence as the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents wage a brutal war over narcotrafficking routes and control of more than 50,000 hectares of coca which has left more than 80 dead and 36,000 displaced during the past week.

Petro's visit also aims to discuss economic, social and cultural issues to strengthen bilateral relations and build a cooperation agenda.