Washington: The US State Department has announced sanctions against a Haitian government official accused of supporting gangs and obstructing efforts against criminal organizations. As part of these sanctions, the official's visa has been revoked to hinder their influence.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the State Department has not disclosed the identity of the official or the specific gangs involved, but confirmed the revocation of any visas currently held by the individual. This move is part of a broader effort to curb the influence of gangs in Haiti, which has been plagued by criminal violence and political instability.
Earlier this year, Washington identified two Haitian gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as terrorist organizations. The US government remains committed to supporting Haiti's stability and has emphasized the importance of progress toward free and fair elections as a measure of this commitment.
In related developments, prominent Haitian businessman Dmitri Vorbe, who faced accusations of supporting gangs, was arrested in the US in September and subsequently deported to Haiti. Similarly, another Haitian businessman, Pierre Reginald Boulos, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on July 17 for allegedly contributing to Haiti's destabilization.
Haiti, known as the poorest nation in the Americas, has long been afflicted by criminal gang violence, including murders, rapes, looting, and kidnappings, amidst ongoing political turmoil. The situation deteriorated further at the beginning of 2024, when gangs compelled then-prime minister Ariel Henry to resign.