On May 2, 2025, the Trump administration officially designated two of Haiti’s most powerful armed groups—Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). This marks a significant escalation in U.S. policy toward transnational criminal networks in the Caribbean.
Viv Ansanm, meaning “Living Together” in Haitian Creole, is a coalition of over two dozen heavily armed gangs that emerged in September 2023. It now controls more than 85% of Port-au-Prince and has been linked to attacks on police stations, mass prison breaks, and the closure of Haiti’s main airport. The group’s rise contributed to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in March 2024
Gran Grif, led by a figure known as “General Luckson,” operates in Haiti’s central Artibonite region. It was responsible for a massacre in Pont-Sonde in October 2024 that killed at least 115 people
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designations, stating that these gangs are “a direct threat to U.S. national security interests in our region.” The FTO and SDGT labels allow the U.S. to impose financial sanctions, freeze assets, and prosecute individuals—including American citizens—who provide material support to these groups. This move aligns with a broader Trump administration strategy to classify Latin American criminal organizations, such as MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, as terrorist entities
While intended to curb gang influence, the designations raise concerns among aid organizations. In many parts of Haiti, humanitarian groups must negotiate with gangs to deliver food, water, and medical supplies. Experts warn that the new legal restrictions could hinder these efforts, exacerbating a crisis in which over half the population is projected to face acute food insecurity
Additionally, critics argue that the designations may have limited practical impact without addressing the flow of illegal firearms—mostly trafficked from U.S. ports—and bolstering Haiti’s under-resourced police force. The country’s judicial system remains weak, and a UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission has yet to fully deploy
This policy shift comes amid a broader rollback of Biden-era protections for Haitian migrants and a freeze on U.S. aid to Latin American countries, including Haiti. Security experts caution that such measures could destabilize local law enforcement and empower criminal organizations, potentially worsening the migration crisis
As Haiti grapples with escalating violence and humanitarian challenges, the effectiveness of these designations in restoring stability remains uncertain.
