Trump describes strong Haiti gangs as terrorists

It was a strong alliance of armed gangs that covered Haiti in violence and launched attacks against state institutions specific Friday as a terrorist group by the Trump administration.

Experts said that this step has aggravated a terrible humanitarian crisis in Haiti, because gangs control a large part of the country’s economy and infrastructure, including ports, major roads, blackmail and local population.

President Trump appoints our vast power to impose economic sanctions on criminal groups, and perhaps even take military measures. But it also allows sanctions on anyone accusing the United States of gangs.

“The era of impunity for those who support violence in Haiti has ended Social media yet.

Depending on how it is applied, the advertisement can end from all trade with Haiti, as some experts say, due to the inability of any goods to move to or outside the capital, Port or Prince, without paying the fees to the gangs, which control a large part of the city.

The gang coalition, called Viv Ansanm – “Live together” in the Haiti Cario – was formed in 2023 and pledged to protect civilians, but then launched attacks against Societiesand Prisonsand Hospitals and Police stations.

The gangs also forced former Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign After he could not return to the country because of security concerns.

Some gangs, which are now considered terrorist organizations through nationalism, which are considered terrorist organizations, have spread beyond Haiti, and their establishment Arms smuggling relationships To Florida and the Dominican Republic.

The terrorist declaration also targeted the Gran Grif, whose stronghold is in the Arbonite section, a major agricultural area north of the capital, which is a bread basket in Haiti. Accuses A horrific massacre Last year, he left more than 100 people.

Experts say that the Haiti private sector companies, including port operators, bus owners and mobile service providers are all obligated to pay fees for gangs. It can be presented by US sanctions.

Many charities and relief agencies should work with gangs that seized the neighborhoods in which they work.

“What about a non -governmental church or organization that nourishes a 13 -year -old child from the gang?” Brian said. Nichols, who served in the Biden administration as the US Secretary of State in Western Ball. “I hate to criticize any effort to help Haiti, but this appointment is unlikely to harm the gangs. It is likely to cause damage to help.”

In Haiti, some asked what the terrorist mark might mean to kidnap the victims and their families who are forced to pay a ransom.

“Kidnapping victims have no choice but to pay gangs. What should they do?” Marie Lucy Bonum, a prominent Haiti journalist and host, said her husband was kidnapped for two months in 2023.

However, some experts said they doubt that the United States government will apply sanctions widely.

A US State Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jake Johnston, a senior researcher at the Economic and Policy Research Center, said that Mr. Trump and his assistants may see their step “a necessary measure to try to raise the high cost to the point that people will stop doing business with armed groups.”

But historically, he added, this is not what is happening. “You just pay people further to the illegal markets and unlawful economies.“

Mr. Johnson said that the development banks, donors, relief agencies, importers, exporters, transfer companies and even foreign embassies “will have to think about all their transactions in a way that they were not before.”

Experts said that life of the Haitians could get worse.

Food and fuel, which is already displayed and costly, can become rare if truck drivers do not pay fees for gangs that control roads. Bus drivers must also pay fees for gangs.

However, some welcomed the terrorist declaration.

“It is something I have been waiting for for a long time,” said Jeff Fraser, an American businessman who was kidnapped in Haiti in 2023.

“I do not expect the Trump administration to come to come after those who were forced to pay a ransom,” said Mr. Fraser. “The intention is to go to the bad guys.”

Claude Joseph, the former proxy prime minister, said that he and four of the Haiti politicians asked Mr. Rubio in January to classify gangs as terrorist organizations.

“These gangs kill people in Haiti. It is important to put them in the list so that we can use non -classical methods to fight them,” he said.

When asked about the potential damage caused by businessmen and others by gangs, Mr. Joseph said he hoped that the United States will take this into consideration. He said: “The Haitian government and the United States must look at this,” he said. “They may need some exemptions.”

André Bolter She contributed to the reports from Port or Prince, Haiti.