U.S. terrorism labeling for Haiti gangs may pose risks to the already vulnerable, caution NGOs
Revised Article:
The labeling of Haiti's main gangs, like Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as terrorists by Washington carries risks of strengthening their grip, experts warn, mainly due to potential restrictions in financial and humanitarian aid.
Last week, the United States designated the powerhouse gang, Viv Ansanm controlling Port-au-Prince, and Gran Grif from Artibonite, as terrorist groups, following a similar pattern with Latin American drug cartels.
The aim is to isolate the groups, cutting them off from U.S. funding sources. Yet, analysts at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime caution that this move could ironically aggravate conditions on the ground.
The designation could endanger the activities of some NGOs working closely with gangs to deliver aid to gang-controlled communities. This may result in limited aid and heightened dependency on armed groups. Moreover, international businesses might forsake Haiti due to the risk of violating U.S. law.
The Haitian Center for Analysis and Research for Human Rights recently echoed similar concerns, asserting that the designation could impede the work of NGOs helping Haiti's most vulnerable within gang-controlled zones, already struggling with frozen U.S. aid funding.
Nuanced measures aimed at curbing gang finances could cripple them, yet indiscriminate policies might jeopardize the commercial backbone of the country, according to security adviser Halo Solutions Firm.
Haiti's central bank has urged banks, exchange bureaus, and payment services to be vigilant against operations funding terrorist groups.
Clashes claiming over 1,600 lives and leaving over 1 million internally displaced in the first quarter of 2023, according to U.N. data, display a worsening security situation with limited international assistance.
The designation of these gangs as foreign terrorist organizations could unintentionally escalate the humanitarian crisis by constraining access to aid and intensifying economic instability. It highlights the urgency for a cohesive strategy to manage both the security challenges and the humanitarian needs of the Haitian population.
Enrichment Insights:
- Potential Unintended Consequences: Designating Haiti's major gangs as foreign terrorist organizations could cause unforeseen challenges on financial aid, NGO activities, and international businesses in Haiti.
- On Financial Aid: The designation may restrict financial services access for individuals and organizations in gang-controlled areas, potentially impacting legitimate local businesses and NGOs. This might disrupter essential economic activities[2]. The designation could lead to increased economic hardship and dependency on criminal structures.
- On NGO Activities: NGOs working in gang-controlled areas might face obstacles in delivering aid, as the designation could lead to restrictions on interacting with or providing services in gang-controlled regions. This could hinder humanitarian assistance for those in need[2][3]. NGOs could face increased operational risks due to the designation, as they might be seen as supporting terrorist organizations, potentially leading to legal repercussions.
- On International Businesses: International businesses might face harsher scrutiny and possible sanctions if perceived as supporting organizations linked to these gangs. This could discourage investment and hinder economic recovery efforts. The designation could lead to supply chain disruptions and business operation complications, especially if companies are forced to navigate intricate regulations and legal risks associated with gang-influenced areas.
- The designation of Haiti's major gangs as foreign terrorist organizations could unintentionally escalate the humanitarian crisis by constraining access to aid, potentially impacting the activities of NGOs working in gang-controlled zones.
- Indiscriminate policies aimed at curbing gang finances may jeopardize the commercial backbone of Haiti, as international businesses might forsake the country due to the risk of violating U.S. law, leading to supply chain disruptions and business operation complications.
- Some experts warn that the designation of these gangs as foreign terrorist organizations could lead to limited aid and heightened dependency on armed groups, as the activities of some NGOs working closely with gangs to deliver aid to gang-controlled communities could be endangered, thus potentially worsening the general news and crime-and-justice situation in Haiti.
