CARICOM leaders have expressed a willingness to play a lead role in finding a solution to the crisis in Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse by armed gunmen on Wednesday.
The leaders outlined their position in a statement Wednesday night.
It was issued following an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Haiti.
The regional leaders said in light of Haiti's membership in CARICOM, the grouping is on standby to facilitate a process of national dialogue and negotiation to help the Haitian people end the crisis.
The heads of government of the 15-member CARICOM condemned the assassination of President Moïse and the injuring of his wife, Martine.
Mrs. Moïse has been flown by air ambulance to a hospital in Miami for treatment after she was injured during the shooting.
It's reported that the Moïse's children are safe and in protective care.
The regional leaders called for the perpetrators to be apprehended and brought to justice, and for law and order to prevail.
They said as a mark of respect, CARICOM member states will fly their national flags at half-mast for three days beginning immediately, as well as on the day of the funeral.
Haiti has been under a state of siege since the assassination.
Acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who made the declaration in a message to the nation, said he did not want the nation to plunge into chaos.
A state of siege means that all borders are closed and martial law temporarily imposed, with Haiti's military and the National Police empowered to enforce the law.
Haiti requests US help
Haiti has reportedly asked the US government for assistance with the probe into Mr. Moïse's assassination.
The Haitian ambassador to the US had said the assassins could have escaped over the land border to the Dominican Republic or by sea.
The Dominican Republic said it was closing the border and reinforcing security in the area.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the assassination and said the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency closed meeting on Haiti Thursday.
The US Embassy in Haiti said it was restricting US staff to its compounds.
The embassy was closed on Wednesday.
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