• The U.S. has designated Haitian gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations.
• These gangs control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince, escalating violence and humanitarian crises.
• The designation could complicate humanitarian access as aid groups may be forced to negotiate with gangs.
• Experts warn of potential sanctions and legal implications for those doing business in Haiti or engaging with these gangs.
• The situation follows years of escalating violence and government instability, particularly after the 2021 presidential assassination.

The U.S. State Department has officially designated the powerful Haitian gang coalition, Viv Ansanm, and another gang, Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations. This classification aims to combat their role in driving violence and instability throughout Haiti, where gangs have increasingly exerted control, particularly over the capital, Port-au-Prince. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that “the age of impunity for those supporting violence in Haiti is over,” as these gangs are now labeled as threats to U.S. national security interests, according to latimes and aa.

The designation comes amid a significant humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations reporting that more than 5.7 million people in Haiti, nearly half of the country's population, face food insecurity. The gangs' control has made it exceedingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to operate effectively, as they control many critical areas — including supply routes and vital infrastructure. "The first consequences [of the designation] will be on humanitarian and international cooperation," said Romain Le Cour from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, according to aljazeera and latimes.

As gangs like Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif have been responsible for rampant violence, including murders and kidnappings, U.S. officials characterized them as direct threats not only to the Haitian people but also to regional stability. While the U.S. has indicated its intention to take a tougher stance against these groups, it is critical to consider the repercussions for aid organizations. Engaging with any entity labeled as a terrorist organization can lead to serious legal risks for individuals and organizations supporting relief operations within Haiti, as emphasized by experts who noted that this designation could act as a "de facto embargo," according to aa and latimes.

The expansion of gang influence has been particularly pronounced since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, which created a power vacuum that allowed gangs to thrive. The U.N. has reported significant escalation in violence and displacement, with over one million people forced from their homes due to gang activities. Various international efforts to stabilize the situation, including the deployment of a security force led by Kenya, have faced significant challenges, showing limited effectiveness under the current conditions, according to aljazeera and aa.