The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) announced on February 11, 2025, a series of measures to examine the evidence against Haitian individuals sanctioned by the United States, Canada, and the United Nations.
These individuals are accused of being behind Haiti’s destabilization.
A list of approximately fifty people has been published by the United States, Canada, and the United Nations.
In a message posted on platform X, CPT President Leslie Voltaire revealed that Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has been tasked with collecting and analyzing evidence against these individuals in preparation for potential legal action. The Haitian government has pledged to take “all necessary measures to investigate and prosecute” those suspected of threatening national security.
Leslie Voltaire emphasized the Haitian state’s determination to bring the perpetrators of this destabilization to justice. He also stressed the importance of public vigilance against manipulation attempts by certain criminal groups that continue to exploit the situation in Haiti.
This initiative comes at a time when the country is facing a surge in gang violence and corruption within political networks, two factors exacerbating the crisis. The CPT’s announcement aims to increase pressure on the sanctioned individuals while raising concerns about potential internal political tensions.
Among those sanctioned are key figures in Haitian politics and the private sector, as well as powerful gang leaders. The blacklist includes Joseph Lambert, Youri Latortue, Gary Bodeau, Michel Martelly, Jean Henry Céant, Laurent Lamothe, and several other political leaders and businessmen, including Gilbert Bigio, Reynol Deeb, and Jocelerme Privert.
These individuals are accused of using their influence, as former or current public officials, to support gang-related criminal activities, facilitating offenses such as money laundering and corruption, according to various investigative reports.
So far, Haitian judicial efforts to address these international sanctions have been limited. While the international community has imposed these measures to punish those deemed responsible for the country’s destabilization, the response from Haiti’s justice system remains weak, with the exception of the arrest of Victor Prophane, a former deputy of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite.
Prophane, listed among the sanctioned individuals, was apprehended by the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) as part of an investigation into corruption and support for armed gangs. While this arrest marks a first step, progress remains marginal given the scale of the allegations and the slow pace of judicial proceedings.
Non-Exhaustive List of Haitian Figures Sanctioned by the International Community:
- André Apaid (Businessman)
- Arnel Bélizaire (Former Deputy)
- Berto Dorcé (Former Minister)
- Carl Braun (Businessman)
- Charles Saint-Rémy (Businessman)
- Gary Bodeau (Former Deputy)
- Gilbert Bigio (Businessman)
- Gracia Delva (Former Senator and Former Deputy)
- Hervé Fourcand (Former Senator)
- Jean Marie Vorbe (Businessman)
- Jean-Henry Céant (Former Prime Minister)
- Jimmy Chérizier alias “Barbecue” (Gang Leader)
- Jocelerme Privert (Former President of the Republic)
- Johnson André alias “Izo 5 Segond” (Gang Leader)
- Joseph Lambert (Former Senator)
- Joseph Wilson alias “Lanko San Jou” (Gang Leader)
- Laurent Salvador Lamothe (Former Prime Minister)
- Liszt Quitel (Former Minister)
- Marc Antoine Acra (Businessman)
- Michel Joseph Martelly (Former President of the Republic)
- Nenel Cassy (Former Senator)
- Victor Prophane (Former Deputy)
- Reynold Deeb (Businessman)
- Rony Célestin (Former Senator)
- Salim Succar (Businessman)
- Sherif Abdallah (Businessman)
- Steeve Khawly (Businessman)
- Vitel’homme Innocent (Gang Leader)
- Youri Latortue (Former Senator)
The reasons for these sanctions vary, including destabilization, funding of armed gangs, and illicit drug trafficking, among others.
These sanctions were adopted in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2653, passed on October 21, 2022. This resolution, established under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, sets a comprehensive sanctions regime targeting individuals and entities responsible for acts threatening Haiti’s peace, security, and stability.