After Canada adopted sanctions against high ranking Haitian politicians, the United States updated their list.
From a source close to the American diplomacy, ZoomHaitiNews has learned that sanctions have been adopted against former President Michel Martelly and former Prime Ministers Laurent Salador Lamothe and Jean Henry Céant.
These personalities are sanctioned for their alleged involvement in the financing of armed gangs in Haiti. The sanctions range from the cancellation of visas, withdrawal of U.S. citizenship to the freezing of assets of these individuals in the United States, ZoomHaitiNews and CaribbeanTelevisionNetwork have learned.
When contacted by a ZOOMHAITINEWS reporter, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department would not give too many details. “Under U.S. law, we cannot provide details beyond what is publicly available on visa restrictions. We continue to use every tool at our disposal to combat malicious actors who continue to foment violence and attempt to disrupt the democratic process. “, said the U.S. official who referred us to the “Department of the Treasury for any inquiries about individuals designated under financial sanctions.”
More names will be made public soon. These are individuals whose visas have been revoked. The government will not release the names of individuals sanctioned for financial crimes and those holding U.S. citizenship. The cases of these alleged criminals will be transferred to the Department of Justice, which will decide whether to pursue legal action, a State Department spokesman said. ”
With respect to visa restrictions, a person designated under Section 7031(c) is generally prohibited from entering the United States indefinitely,” a State Department spokesperson said, adding, “Section 7031(c) allows for waivers and exceptions to this prohibition that may permit a person to travel under certain circumstances.”|
A few weeks ago, the State Department decided to release the names of one-third Senate President Joseph Lambert and former Senator Youri Latortue.
Asked why the full list has not yet been released, the State Department official who requested the annonym said, “Depending on the authority used, some visa restrictions are announced publicly, while others are kept private.”
On October 12, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the U.S. would sanction those who supply arms and ammunition to armed gangs in Haiti.
”We are also announcing a new visa restriction policy under section 212 (a) (3) (C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act against Haitian officials and others involved in the operation of street gangs and other Haitian criminal organizations that have threatened the livelihoods of the Haitian people and are blocking vital humanitarian assistance”, the head of U.S. diplomacy had written in a statement.
A few days ago, former President Michel Joseph Martelly, former Prime Ministers Laurent Lamothe and Jean Henry Céant joined Joseph Lambert, Youri Latortue, Rosny Celestin, Hervé Foucant and Garry Bodeau on the list of people sanctioned by the Canadian government.
These individuals are targeted for their involvement in financing acts of violence in Haiti. Some of them are also accused of drug trafficking by Canada and the United States.