In a shocking move, the Trump administration has officially designated a coalition of powerful Haitian gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This decision targets the Viv Ansanm coalition and the Gran Grief gang, both of which have been wreaking havoc in Haiti and posing a dire threat to national security.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation, emphasizing that the era of impunity for violent groups in Haiti is over. “These gangs have killed and are attacking the people of Haiti, Haitian security forces, and multinational personnel, all while aiming to overthrow the government,” Rubio stated.
This designation aligns Haiti’s gangs with other notorious Latin American crime organizations, including Mexican cartels. It comes as a response to escalating violence that has displaced over a million Haitians and left millions more facing acute hunger. Nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince is reportedly under the control of the Viv Ansanm coalition, which has been executing coordinated assaults against police stations and neighborhoods.
The implications of this designation are severe. Anyone providing material support to these gangs, regardless of their location, risks facing criminal charges and counter-terrorism sanctions. Experts warn that even small gestures, like offering a cup of coffee, could be interpreted as material support, leading to significant legal repercussions.
Humanitarian aid efforts could also be severely impacted, as organizations may hesitate to send funds for fear of inadvertently supporting the gangs. This chilling effect could exacerbate the already dire situation in Haiti, where over 5.7 million people are in need of urgent assistance.
While some in Haiti welcome the designation as a step toward accountability, others express concern that it could lead to further suffering for the population. Business owners are often coerced into paying gangs for protection, and those caught in the crossfire of gang violence stand to lose everything.
As the situation continues to spiral, experts fear that Haiti is on the brink of anarchy. With gang-related violence resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread fear among citizens, the time for action is critical. The U.S. government’s designation sends a clear message that the fight against terror in Haiti is just beginning, but the path ahead remains fraught with challenges.
