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3d ago

U.S. Officially Designates Haitian Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The Viv Ansanm coalition and Gran Grif face sanctions as the U.S. aims to curb violence and destabilization in Haiti, raising concerns over humanitarian aid delivery.

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A woman sweeps debris next to a blazing barricade set up by demonstrators during a protest against insecurity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
A man carries his belongings as he flees home following attacks by armed gangs, many grouped behind an alliance known as Viv Ansanm, in the Poste Marchand neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Dec. 9, 2024.
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Overview

  • The U.S. State Department has designated Haitian gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
  • The designation blocks all U.S.-based assets of these groups, prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them, and criminalizes material support.
  • Viv Ansanm, formed in 2023, controls 85% of Port-au-Prince and has launched attacks on critical infrastructure, including prisons and the main airport.
  • Gran Grif, the largest gang in Haiti's Artibonite region, has been linked to 80% of civilian deaths there and killed a Kenyan security officer in February 2025.
  • Experts warn the designation could complicate humanitarian operations, as aid groups often must negotiate with gangs to deliver essential supplies in gang-controlled areas.