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Haiti sees a worsening of violence in the gang
The UN warns the crisis in Haiti when the violence in the gang across the country continues to deteriorate. (Video City AP, Finger Reuters)
Trump administration On Friday, the two most powerful bandit networks of Haiti, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, foreign terrorist organizations (FTOS) and specially indicated by global terrorists (SDGS) are officially appointed.
This step is aimed at violating gang operations and supporting the effort to restore order in a problem Caribbean nation.
The announcement was made in an official statement from Secretary of State Mark RubioWhich stated that “the era of impunity for those who support Haiti’s violence is over.”
“These gangs have died and continued to attack Haiti residents, Haitian security forces and multinational security support (MSS) and seek to turn the Haiti government,” Rubio said. “Their ultimate goal is to create a state controlled by gangs when illegal trade and other criminal acts are free and terrorized by Haiti citizens.”
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Former police-leader Jimmy Jimmy “Barbec” Chérizier passes past journalists in Port-O Prince, Haiti, March 11, 2024. (Reuters/Ralph So Erol)
The designations bring serious legal consequences. Persons or organizations providing material support Viv Ansanm or Gran Grif may face a criminal case, Loss of immigration benefits Either removal from the US
VIV ANSANM was formed in September 2023 through the union between the two main groups of Haiti, G-9 and G-Pép. The coalition conducted the agreed attacks on Haitian infrastructure, including Tours, State buildings and Port-Prince International Airport. These attacks were part of a wider campaign that helped force former Prime Minister Haiti Ariel Henry.
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A man who carries his belongings watches over the burned vehicles after violence in Port-Prince, Haiti, December 9, 2024. (Reuters/Ralph So Erol)
Gran Grif works mainly in the Artibonite region, vital agricultural territory. State Department He said the gang is responsible for 80% of the civil death reports in the field since 2022. In February 2025, Gran Griff was associated with an attack that killed a Kenyan officer with a MSS mission.
According to the NPR reporting since 2024, VII Ansan was headed by Jimmy Cherisier, known as the barbecue, a former police officer who received the gang leader.
Chérizier helped to unite the rival gangs under the overall goal to resist Haiti’s government. In an interview with NPR, he defended the gang’s actions and accused Haiti’s political elite of lawlessness. Although he acknowledged the violence, he claimed that the government had allowed the conditions leading to it.
The woman carries her belongings when she escapes from armed gang violence in Port-O-Prince, Haiti, December 9, 2024. (Reuters/Ralph So Erol)
“These designations play a crucial role in our fight against these vicious groups and are an effective way to reduce the support of their terrorist activity,” Rubio said. He also warned that US citizens and legitimate residents involved in transactions with these groups are subjected to sanctions and persecution.
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Rubio praised Haiti’s national police and international partners for efforts to push for gangs. “We welcome the extraordinary courage of the Haiti National Police and all international partners who support the MSS mission for their constant efforts to establish stability and security in Haiti,” he said.
He urged Haitian political leaders to focus on restoring peace.
“We urge all the political leaders of Haiti to prioritize the safety of the Haitian people, find decisions to stop violence and make progress against the restoration of democracy through free and fair elections,” Rubio said.
The State Department did not immediately respond to the Fox News Digital request.
