The US Cracks Down: Haiti's Violent Gangs Labeled as Terrorists
U.S. Identifies Two Haitian Gangs as Terrorist Entities; Hardline stance on Haitian gangs amid dwindling efforts to curb violence in the country by Trump administration
In a bold move, the United States has marked the Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif gangs in Haiti as foreign terrorist organizations - a harsh decision that mirrors President Donald Trump's history of labeling criminal groups in Latin America as terrorists.
Speaking on the matter, Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the reasons behind the labeling, stating that these two gangs have been responsible for spreading violence and mayhem throughout Haiti, where armed groups have gained significant control over the capital, Port-au-Prince.
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"The era of peaceful coexistence is over for those who fuel violence in Haiti," Rubio declared in a press statement.
"These Haitian gangs, including Viv Ansanm coalition and Gran Grif, are the primary source of instability and chaos in Haiti. They pose a direct threat to US national security interests in the region."
The Trump administration's stance against criminal groups in Latin America has been firm, often connecting its efforts to domestic concerns such as curbing illegal migration and drug trafficking.
In February, the US designated eight drug-trafficking and criminal groups as terrorist organizations, including notorious gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Tren de Aragua, and Mexican drug cartels.
The labeling of "foreign terrorist organization" means that any individual connected to a specific group will be barred from entering the United States. It also forbids offering "material support or resources" to the group. unfortunate consequence is that individuals operating in areas where gangs have a stronghold in the local economy and government could inadvertently face legal charges.
Trump and his supporters have maintained a tough stance against criminal organizations and cartels, blaming them for illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the US. Previously, they have even suggested the possibility of military action against countries like Mexico to address the threat of gangs.
While US-Mexico relationships remain stronger, critics worry that aggressive steps, including branding Mexican cartels as terrorists, could undermine cooperation between the two nations as they work together to combat organized crime.
The threat of gangs is prevalent in Haiti, with the Viv Ansanm coalition, whose name translates to "Live Together," thought to control around 85% of Port-au-Prince. The coalition has prevented commercial flights from landing and imposed restrictions on vital supplies such as food and medicine.
As millions of Haitian civilians grapple with hunger, displacement, and violence, critics fear that the new labeling could make it even more difficult to get much-needed aid to the country, given the necessity of negotiating with gangs.
"The first consequences will be on humanitarian aid and international cooperation, which is the only thing preventing the people in Haiti from starving," said Romain Le Cour, an expert with the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Experts note that gangs often demand tolls for movement in and around their territories. The "terrorist" label could make such payments an illegal act in the United States.
"It could essentially act as an embargo," said Jake Johnston, international research director at the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Research.
"Gangs wield tremendous control over Haiti's commerce," he added. "Engaging in business with Haiti or within Haiti will carry increased risks."
Gang control over Haiti has increased significantly in recent years, particularly following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. The power vacuum left behind by his death has allowed gangs to exert control, displacing over one million people, affecting the livelihoods of nearly half of the country's population, as per United Nations estimates.
Kenya has taken the lead in a UN-backed international security mission aimed at supporting the local police as they combat gangs, although the mission has struggled to make an impact thus far. The mission, heavily reliant on US support, has faced numerous challenges, including the death of a Kenyan police officer in February.
Skeptics question the effectiveness of the international group, given the long and disastrous history of foreign interventions in Haiti, including by the US.
Trump has also aimed to dismantle programs such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole that allow Haitians to legally reside in the US. An estimated 520,694 Haitians are protected by TPS alone, but under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security plans to discontinue the TPS program for Haitians by August.
- The US has labeled the Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif gangs in Haiti as foreign terrorist organizations, a move mirroring President Trump's history of labeling criminal groups in Latin America.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the gangs are the primary source of instability and chaos in Haiti, posing a direct threat to US national security interests.
- The labeling means that any individual connected to these groups will be barred from entering the United States and offering material support or resources to them is also forbidden.
- Critics fear that the new labeling could make it even more difficult to get much-needed aid to Haiti, given the necessity of negotiating with gangs.
- Gangs in Haiti, such as the Viv Ansanm coalition, have gained significant control over the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have imposed restrictions on vital supplies like food and medicine.
- The threat of gangs in Haiti is prevalent, with the Viv Ansanm coalition, thought to control around 85% of Port-au-Prince, preventing commercial flights from landing and demanding tolls for movement in and around their territories, potentially making such payments an illegal act in the United States.
