Trump describes Haitis powerful gangs as terrorists

A powerful alliance of armed gangs that Haiti fell into force and started attacks against state institutions was shown on Friday by the Trump administration as a group of terrorists.

The move is likely to worsen an already serious humanitarian crisis in Haiti, experts said that the gangs control a large part of the country's economy and infrastructure, including ports and main roads, and blackmail companies and the local population.

President Trump's name enables the US authority to impose economic punishments to the criminal groups and possibly even take military measures. However, all sanctions that accuse the United States are imposed on the gangs.

“The age of impunity for those who support violence in Haiti is over,” said Foreign Minister Marco Rubio in a social media post.

Depending on how it is enforced, the explanation could end almost the entire trade in Haiti, say some experts, since practically no goods can move in without paying the fees to the gangs that control a large part of the city, in or out of capital, port-au-prince.

The coalition of the gangs, VIV Ansanm – “Coexistence” on Haitian Creole – was founded in 2023 and promised to protect civilians, but immediately started attacks against communities, prisons, hospitals and police stations.