The President Donald Trump administration in the United States on Friday, officially designated two of Haiti’s most notorious gang organizations, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
This move is aimed at dismantling the gangs’ operations and aiding efforts to restore peace and order in Haiti.
The announcement came via a statement from Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who emphasized that “the age of impunity for those supporting violence in Haiti is over.”
Rubio further explained that the gangs have been responsible for numerous killings, attacks on Haitian citizens, security forces, and multinational security mission personnel, and are actively seeking to overthrow Haiti’s government.
Their ultimate objective, he said, is to establish a state controlled by criminal gangs, where illicit activities can run unchecked, spreading terror among the people.
Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, a former police officer turned gang leader, is at the helm of Viv Ansanm, which emerged in September 2023 after uniting Haiti’s two primary gang factions, G-9 and G-Pép.
This coalition has carried out coordinated assaults on various infrastructures in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and the Port-au-Prince airport.
These attacks played a significant role in the resignation of former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Gran Grif, predominantly active in the Artibonite region, is another gang causing chaos in Haiti.
The U.S. State Department revealed that Gran Grif has been responsible for over 80% of civilian deaths in the region since 2022.
The gang also gained notoriety for its involvement in a February 2025 attack that claimed the life of a Kenyan officer serving in the multinational security mission.
According to NPR’s 2024 report, Viv Ansanm, led by Chérizier, has united several rival gangs to pursue a common goal of destabilizing the Haitian government.
Despite the group’s violent actions, Chérizier defended the gang’s existence, blaming Haiti’s political elite for enabling the lawlessness that gave rise to such violence.
Rubio underscored that these designations are vital in the U.S. fight against these violent groups and represent a strategic move to curb their access to resources.
He also issued a stern warning to U.S. citizens and legal residents who engage with these organizations, noting they could face legal consequences, including sanctions and prosecution.
Rubio praised the Haitian National Police and international allies for their continued efforts to combat the gangs.
He called on Haiti’s political leaders to unite and prioritize the safety of the Haitian people, urging them to work toward a peaceful resolution and the restoration of democracy through free and fair elections.
