Saying Goodbye to the Reign of Terror: US Labels Chief Haitian Gangs as Terrorist Organizations
U.S. designates Haitian criminal groups as terrorists.
In a groundbreaking move, the US government has taken a strong stance against the reign of terror in Haiti by branding two of the most powerful gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations. This declaration was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"It's high time for an end to the era of impunity for those fostering violence in Haiti," Rubio asserted, emphasizing the role these criminal groups play in destabilizing the fragile country. The duo is responsible for a significant part of the crime-ridden capital Port-au-Prince, according to Rubio. Their activities constitute a direct threat to the national security interests of the US, he added, due to their intent to overthrow the government and set up a lawless state where they can carry out their heinous acts unchallenged.
For years, Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the Americas, has been under the partial control of armed gangs. These ruthless groups are responsible for a multitude of crimes, including murders, kidnappings, and rapes. The current weak transitional government has been unable to curb the increasing violence.
In the first three months of this year alone, more than 1,600 lives were lost to gang violence in Haiti, with most of the victims being gang members themselves. The tragedy has forced more than one million people to flee their homes. Startlingly, 85% of Port-au-Prince is currently under the control of these harsh groups.
Previous examples of such designations include the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, the Tren de Aragua group based in Venezuela, and the MS-13 gang from El Salvador.
The US designation means sanctions and financial restrictions for Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif. All US-based assets belonging to these groups will be frozen, and any transactions with them are prohibited under OFAC’s SDN List. The move also allows for increased law enforcement cooperation to effectively investigate and prosecute these groups and their transnational activities, potentially involving international partners. Additionally, foreign individuals or entities risk secondary sanctions if they knowingly assist or engage in significant transactions with these groups.
Source: ntv.de, mbo/AFP
- Haiti
- Terrorism
- Organized Crime
- Marco Rubio
- USA
- Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, emphasized the role of the gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif in destabilizing Haiti by playing a significant part in the crime-ridden capital Port-au- Prince, causing impunity for violence and “terrorizing” the citizens.
- The US government's decision to label Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations is a groundbreaking move aimed at ending the "reign of terror" in Haiti, a country often marred by "instability" and "politics" that have been exacerbated by these gangs.
- dwellers of Haiti, one of the poorest countries, have been caught in the crosshairs of a vicious cycle of violence perpetuated by armed gangs like Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, who are responsible for crimes such as murders, kidnappings, and rapes.
- As a result of the US' designation of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as terrorist organizations, they will now face sanctions and financial restrictions, with any assets belonging to these groups frozen and transactions prohibited under OFAC's SDN List.
- The US designation could potentially strengthen international law enforcement cooperation against these powerful gangs, allowing partners from the general-news domain of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice to work together and effectively investigate and prosecute these organizations, thereby reducing their ability to "terrorize" Haiti and posing a threat to national security interests.
