The Trump administration has labelled Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations
Haiti sees aggravating gang violence
The UN warns that the crisis in Haiti is escalating as gang violence continues to worsen across the country. (Video courtesy of Reuters’ thumb)
Trump administration On Friday, they officially designated two of Haiti’s most powerful gang networks: Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), and specially designated global terrorists (SDGTS).
The move is intended to disrupt gang operations and support efforts to restore troubled order Caribbean.
The announcement was made in a formal statement Secretary of State Marco Rubio“The era of immunity is over for those who support violence in Haiti.”
“These gangs continue to kill Haiti, Haitian security forces and mission officials in Multinational Security Assistance (MSS) and are committed to overthrowing the Haitian government,” Rubio said. “Their ultimate goal is to create a gang-controlled state where illegal human trafficking and other criminal acts can operate freely and terrorize Haitian citizens.”
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Former police-turned-gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier passes a reporter on March 11, 2024 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Reuters/Ralph SO EROL)
Designation has serious legal consequences. An individual or entity providing significant support to Viv Ansanm or Grangrif may face criminal charges. Loss of immigration benefits Or removal from the US
Viv Ansanm was formed in September 2023 through an alliance between two major Haiti gangsters, the G-9 and G-Pép. The coalition has carried out coordinated attacks on Haitian infrastructure, including prisons, government buildings and Port-au-Prince International Airport. These attacks were part of a broader campaign that helped force former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.
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A man carrying his property observes a vehicle burning after gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, December 9, 2024. (Reuters/Ralph SO EROL)
Gran Grif operates primarily in the Artibonite region, a key agricultural area. State Department The gang said that since 2022, 80% of private death reports in the area have been responsible. In February 2025, Grand Griff was linked to an attack that killed a Kenyan officer on an MSS mission.
According to NPR reports from 2024, Viv Ansanm was led by Jimmy Chérizier, known as Barbecue, where former police officers became gang leaders.
Cherizier helped unify his rival gangs under the common goal of opposing the Haitian government. In an interview with NPR, he defended the gang’s actions and accused Haitian political elite of defending it. He admitted the violence, but he argued that the government enabled the conditions that led to it.
On December 9, 2024, a woman carries her belongings as she escapes the violence of an armed gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Reuters/Ralph SO EROL)
“These designations play an important role in the fight against these vicious groups and are effective ways to reduce their support for terrorist activities,” Rubio said. He also warned that US citizens and legal residents engaged in dealing with these groups are being subject to sanctions and prosecution.
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Rubio praised the Haitian National Police and international partners for their efforts to resist the gang. “I commend the extraordinary courage of the Haitian National Police and all international partners supporting the MSS mission for their continued efforts to establish stability and security in Haiti,” he said.
He called on Haitian political leaders to focus on restoring peace.
“We urge all Haitian political leaders to prioritize the safety of Haitian people, find solutions that will stop violence and help restore democracy through free and fair elections,” Rubio said.
The State Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.