The United States has officially designated two of the most violent Haitian gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday.
Calling the move a decisive step against impunity, Rubio said the designations aim to cut off support for groups fueling instability in Haiti and threatening U.S. national security interests in the region. “The age of impunity for those supporting violence in Haiti is over,” he declared in a statement.
The Viv Ansanm coalition and Gran Grif have been at the center of escalating violence in Haiti, accused of targeting civilians, Haitian security forces, and personnel with the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. The State Department emphasized that these groups are intent on overthrowing the Haitian government to create a gang-run state that fosters illicit trafficking and terrorizes citizens.
“These gangs have killed and continue attacking the people of Haiti,” the statement reads. “Their ultimate goal is creating a gang-controlled state.”
The new terrorist designations bring sweeping consequences: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who provide material support to these gangs now risk criminal prosecution, as well as possible inadmissibility or deportation. Entities engaging in transactions with the groups could also be subject to sanctions.
Rubio praised the Haitian National Police and international partners for their ongoing work to stabilize the country through the MSS mission. He also called on Haitian political leaders to unite in restoring order and pushing toward democratic elections.
“We urge all of Haiti’s political leaders to prioritize the security of the Haitian people, find solutions to stop the violence, and make progress toward the restoration of democracy through free and fair elections,” the statement continued.
The announcement follows a United Nations report earlier this week that revealed at least 1,617 people were killed in just the first three months of 2025 — a chilling toll driven by Haitian gangs, vigilante justice, and violent security force operations.
The action underscores the Trump administration’s broader strategy of cracking down on transnational criminal organizations and reinforcing regional stability through counterterrorism measures.
