The Trump administration has taken a significant step in addressing the ongoing crisis in Haiti by designating two powerful gangs, the Viv Ansanm coalition and Gran Grief, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This announcement came on a recent Friday from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who explained that these gangs aim to establish a state controlled by crime, where illegal activities thrive and terrorize the Haitian people.
This designation allows the U.S. government to impose strict penalties on financial transactions that benefit these gangs. Given the extent of organized crime in Haiti, this could encompass nearly any activity in a country where gangs have a stronghold. These gangs have been responsible for the assassination of Haiti’s last president in 2021 and have since gained control over much of the countryside, threatening the remaining government structures and pushing out the United Nations mission in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Life under gang rule has become increasingly brutal for Haitians. Reports indicate that over 5,600 people were murdered and more than 1,500 were kidnapped in 2024 alone, a staggering figure for a nation of just 11.6 million. Gang violence includes plundering, extortion, and rampant sexual violence, often used as a weapon against rivals.
Efforts by the Haitian government to combat these gangs have largely failed. The police, plagued by corruption and a lack of resources, are outmatched and unsupported by a functional government. A UN security mission led by Kenya, which was supposed to send 2,500 police officers, has only managed to provide fewer than 1,000. Most of Port-au-Prince is under gang control, making it nearly impossible for the police to operate effectively.
The dire situation has plunged many Haitians into deep poverty. With businesses unable to function amid constant violence, many rely on international aid for survival. Approximately 1 million Haitians received food assistance last year, but gangs have found ways to exploit this aid. They demand tolls from aid shipments passing through gang-controlled areas, potentially earning up to $75 million annually from these extortions.
The international community’s response so far has done little to alleviate the crisis. Instead, it has created a situation where gangs benefit from humanitarian aid while maintaining their grip on power. The Biden administration has opted to address the issue by facilitating the immigration of Haitians to the U.S., which became a topic of debate during the 2024 campaign.
The recent designation of these gangs as terrorist organizations signals a potential shift in U.S. strategy towards Haiti. The law imposes severe penalties on anyone providing support to these gangs, including individuals sending remittances or aid that could inadvertently benefit them. This broad scope may effectively act as an embargo on commerce with Haiti, raising concerns among human rights advocates about the impact on the already suffering population.
Critics warn that this approach could worsen the humanitarian crisis, as many Haitians are already facing starvation. They fear that the Trump administration might use this designation to justify deporting Haitians living in the U.S.
As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, a new strategy to tackle gang violence is urgently needed. The current international approach has failed to resolve the crisis, which has persisted for nearly a decade. A more effective response would focus on cutting off gang funding and addressing the root causes of the violence, benefiting both Haitians and Americans in the long run.