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4w ago

Trump Administration Moves to Designate Haitian Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The unprecedented designation targets Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, expanding U.S. terrorism laws to combat transnational organized crime.

President Donald Trump speaks on his first 100 days at Macomb County Community College Sports Expo Center, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Warren, Mich. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump arrives to speak on his first 100 days at Macomb County Community College Sports Expo Center, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Warren, Mich. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Overview

  • The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intent to label Haitian gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).
  • This designation will impose sanctions and penalties on those providing material support to these groups, marking a significant shift in U.S. counterterrorism strategy.
  • Viv Ansanm, a coalition of over a dozen gangs, has been linked to attacks that destabilized Haiti, including shutting down the main airport and forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in 2024.
  • Gran Grif, led by 'General Luckson,' has been implicated in a 2024 massacre in Pont-Sondé that killed over 70 people, as well as other violent attacks in Haiti's Artibonite region.
  • The move builds on February's FTO designations of eight Latin American cartels and reflects a broader strategy to address transnational crime and migration pressures.