section_path: History (2020–2022)/2021 protests/February
section_name: February
paragraph_text: February
  
  On 7 February 2021, supporters of the opposition against incumbent President Moïse allegedly attempted a coup d'état, claiming he should have stepped down five years after the end of Michel Martelly 's administration on 7 Feb 2016, despite the year-long delay before he was sworn in in 2017. Moïse stated he had been the target of an assassination attempt and ordered the arrest of 23 people, including three Supreme Court judges. Throughout February, clashes with protesters and security forces occurred in Port-au-Prince, and Jacmel. On 25 February, at least 25 were killed and many injured during a prison break at Croix-des-Bouquets Civil Prison, during which gang leader Arnel Joseph escaped. Joseph was later found and killed in L'Estère.