Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif: The Violent Gangs Terrorizing Haiti
U.S. labels two Haitian criminal groups as terrorists: official declaration
The U.S. State Department has taken a decisive step against the chaos in Haiti, labeling Viv Ansanm (Living Together) and Gran Grif (Big Claw) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This declaration was made by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who underscored the end of impunity for anyone perpetrating violence in Haiti.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Caribbean, has been plagued for years by criminal gangs, notorious for their heinous crimes such as murder, rape, looting, and kidnappings, amidst the continuing political upheaval. The unsettling statistics reveal that over 1,600 people, predominantly gang members, were brutally slain during the inaugural three months of 2025, according to the United Nations.
Rubio emphasized that the notorious Haitian gangs, particularly the alliance of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, are the primary reason for instability and brutal violence in Haiti. These ruthless groups pose a direct threat to U.S. national security interests in the region, with their ultimate ambition being to establish a state under gang control, where criminal activities proliferate and innocent citizens live in constant terror.
The United States has previously designated gangs and cartels across the Americas as terrorist organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, the "Tren de Aragua" gang in Venezuela, and the MS-13 in El Salvador.
Haiti is currently under the administration of transitional institutions, and the country has seen a sharp increase in violence since mid-February. Gangs, which control around 85% of Port-au-Prince according to the United Nations, have escalated attacks in various districts, spreading fear among the populace. This escalation has occurred despite the partial deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), led by Kenya, to aid the overstretched Haitian police force.
The MSSM, authorized by the United Nations Security Council, currently comprises around 1,000 police officers from six different countries, significantly fewer than the anticipated 2,500. Unfortunately, the violence and instability continue to escalate, creating an urgent need for international cooperation to restore peace in Haiti.
Insights:
- Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif: Formed in September 2023, Viv Ansanm is a coalition primarily based in Port-au-Prince, while Gran Grif has been active in the Artibonite Department of Haiti since 2016.
- Regional Impact: Both organizations have significantly influenced security in Haiti, engaging in violent activities and controlling large areas, particularly in the capital. This has led to widespread insecurity and instability, impacting both the local population and international efforts to stabilize the region.
- Designation Impact: The U.S. designation aims to restrict the financial and logistical capabilities of these organizations, potentially weakening their influence and reducing their violent activity. Assets associated with these groups in the U.S. will be frozen, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
- The U.S. State Department's decision to label Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists is aimed at restricting their financial and logistical capabilities, potentially weakening their influence and reducing their violent activities.
- The destructive influence of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif has led to widespread insecurity and instability in Haiti, with these organizations playing a significant role in the escalating violence and controlling large areas, especially in Port-au-Prince.
- Haiti's current administration by transitional institutions has seen a sharp increase in violence since mid-February, with gangs, such as the allied forces of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, terrorizing the populace and controlling around 85% of Port-au-Prince.
- The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), despite being authorized by the United Nations Security Council and currently comprising around 1,000 police officers from six different countries, has not been sufficient to curb the violence and instability in Haiti, creating an urgent need for increased international cooperation to restore peace in the country.
