U.S. Declares Two Dominant Haitian Gangs as Global Terror Threats Amid Escalating Crisis
The United States has officially labeled two of Haiti’s most influential armed groups—Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif—as transnational terrorist organizations, underscoring Washington’s growing concern over the country's unraveling security landscape and its wider regional implications.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that both gangs pose a "direct threat to U.S. national security interests in the region." He added that any individual or entity found supporting these gangs with resources or material aid could face criminal prosecution, inadmissibility to the U.S., or removal proceedings.
The designation comes amid Haiti’s descent into unprecedented violence, with armed factions controlling nearly all of Port-au-Prince. The Gran Grif gang was notably responsible for the Pont-Sondé massacre last October, where at least 115 civilians were brutally killed.
Over 1 million Haitians have now been displaced due to escalating clashes. In recent weeks alone, tens of thousands have fled their homes, hospitals have shuttered, and acute food insecurity has surged. Despite repeated warnings from the United Nations, the U.S. and other neighboring countries continue to deport Haitian migrants, further straining the nation’s fragile humanitarian infrastructure.
While Rubio's announcement signals a shift toward a tougher U.S. stance, it remains uncertain what practical impact the terrorist designation will have. Some analysts believe it may function as an economic embargo, indirectly isolating Haiti from global commerce. Gangs currently dominate key transit points, including the main fuel depot, national port, and highways, often imposing unofficial “tolls.”
“The gangs have effectively become gatekeepers of Haiti’s economy,” said Jake Johnston, international director at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. “This designation could dramatically increase the risks for anyone doing business in or with Haiti.”
The U.S. decision follows similar terrorist classifications issued earlier this year for criminal syndicates across Latin America, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. The move represents part of a broader regional strategy to clamp down on transnational organized crime.
Meanwhile, the UN-backed multinational security mission, originally intended to stabilize the nation, has made little headway. Local police, often outgunned and under-resourced, have failed to curb the surge of gang-led violence. The UN has also called on the U.S. to tighten gun control on exports to Haiti via Florida ports.
Haiti has not held a national election since 2016, and its last elected president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021. With no functioning government and no clear path forward, gangs have entrenched themselves in every sector—from commerce and infrastructure to justice and governance.
This week’s U.S. designation, while largely symbolic, signals a new phase in the international response to Haiti’s crisis. Whether it will catalyze concrete change or remain merely diplomatic remains to be seen.
Over 1 million Haitians have now been displaced due to escalating clashes. In recent weeks alone, tens of thousands have fled their homes, hospitals have shuttered, and acute food insecurity has surged. Some even swam across rivers to escape gang-infested areas in Artibonite, highlighting the desperation gripping the nation.