Trump to designate Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations
The Trump administration has recently notified Congress of its intention to designate Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, according to sources familiar with the matter. The two gangs in question, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, are set to be labeled as such in an effort to combat the escalating violence and criminal activities in Haiti.
The notification was sent to congressional committees on April 23, with sources revealing that the administration is moving forward with the designation of these two notorious gangs. This decision comes on the heels of the Department of Homeland Security canceling an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians earlier this year, putting approximately half a million individuals at risk of deportation.
In a similar move, the State Department recently designated eight Latin American organized crime groups as foreign terrorist organizations. Among them are well-known criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua (TdA) of Venezuela, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) of El Salvador, and various Mexican cartels including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The Trump administration has been cracking down on illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations since taking office. The decision to designate Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations is part of a broader effort to address the growing threat posed by these gangs to national security.
The Viv Ansanm coalition, which translates to “Living Together,” was formed in September 2023 and has been responsible for a series of violent attacks across Haiti, including the freeing of hundreds of inmates from prisons and the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The coalition consists of more than a dozen gangs, including G-9 and G-Pèp, two of the largest gangs in the country.
Gran Grif, also known as the Savien gang, is part of the Viv Ansanm coalition and is led by Luckson Elan, also known as “General Luckson.” This gang operates in Haiti’s central Artibonite region and has been linked to several brutal attacks, including a massacre in Pont-Sondé in October 2024 where over 70 people were killed.
The Trump administration’s decision to designate these Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations is a significant step in addressing the ongoing violence and instability in Haiti. By targeting the financial networks and criminal activities of these gangs, the administration hopes to disrupt their operations and enhance national security efforts both domestically and internationally.
As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with over 5,600 people killed last year and more than 1 million left homeless due to gang violence, the designation of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations underscores the severity of the crisis. The Trump administration’s actions reflect a commitment to combating transnational criminal organizations and protecting the safety and security of the American people.
