Political leaders and high-level officials from around the world sent their solidarity with the Haitian people and condemned the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he was "shocked" by the assassination of Haiti's president and that "a lot" more information is needed.
"We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination of President Jovenel Moise and the attack on First Lady Martine Moise," Biden said in a statement.
"We condemn this heinous act and I am sending my sincere wishes for First Lady Moise's recovery," he added.
Speaking to reporters as he left for a trip to Chicago, Biden called the incident "very worrisome" and said "we need a lot more information."
Also Read: Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated, says interim PM
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the killing by still unidentified assailants was a "horrific attack" and said "we will be helpful in any way to the people of Haiti, to the government of Haiti if there's an investigation."
The White House was "still gathering information," she told MSNBC television.
‘Spiral of violence’
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday said he was "shocked" by the assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moise and warned it could further destabilize the Caribbean nation.
"This crime poses a risk of instability and a spiral of violence. The perpetrators of this assassination must be found and brought to justice," Borrell wrote on Twitter.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also condemned the "cowardly assassination" and urged the countrymen for restraint and calm in the Caribbean nation in the wake of his killing.
"All light must be shed on this crime, which takes place in a political and security climate that has severely worsened," He said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday expressed shock calling the assassination “an abhorrent act.”
The UN Security Council also expressed its shock on Wednesday over the incident.
"Council members say they are deeply shocked by the assassination of President Moise earlier in the day... and are concerned about the fate of the First Lady, Martine Moise, who was also shot and wounded in the attack," France's UN ambassador, Nicolas de Riviere said.
'State of siege'
Haiti's interim prime minister on Wednesday declared a "state of siege," which grants the executive additional powers, just hours after the assassination of the nation's president.
"In strict application of article 149 of the constitution, I have just chaired an extraordinary council of ministers meeting and we have decided to declare a state of siege throughout the country," Prime Minister Claude Joseph said.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Dominican Republic on Wednesday shuttered its border with Haiti after the assassination.
The countries share a 380-kilometer border on the island of Hispaniola, and defence ministry spokesman Ceinett Sanchez told AFP its closure would be "immediate."
Dominican President Luis Abinader condemned the killing, saying on Twitter the crime "undermines the democratic order in Haiti and the region."
He offered condolences to the family of Moise and his wife Martine, who was wounded, and to the Haitian people.
Local media said Abinader had summoned military leaders to analyse the situation on the island.