The first repercussions of classifying Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist groups
About a week ago, I published an analysis on the potential implications of the U.S. decision to classify the Haitian gangs “Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif” as foreign terrorist organizations. In this article, I aim to explore a central question: How does this designation impact Haitian nationals abroad, both in terms of professional opportunities and broader socio-economic ramifications?
I must admit the reception fell far short of my expectations. The response was hostile and, at times, frankly repugnant. On social media, I was unfairly accused of supporting these Haitian criminal organizations that spread grief among an exhausted population desperate for security.
I must admit the reception fell far short of my expectations. The response was hostile and, at times, frankly repugnant. On social media, I was unfairly accused of supporting these Haitian criminal organizations that spread grief among an exhausted population desperate for security.
The majority of those who reacted had not even taken the time to read the article’s content, which is understandable. We live in a digital era where context is no longer necessary to form an opinion—where reading a text thoroughly is no longer a prerequisite for offering an “expert” take.
Although my article was grounded in factual data, academic studies, and rigorous scientific observations, I must address some of my primary sources to underpin its objectivity. The analysis involved 14 interviews with affected individuals and experts, alongside three peer-reviewed studies, ensuring a solid basis for the claims made. I confess I was tempted to take down my publication until I discovered new developments and reactions that only reinforced my initial position.
This week, several Haitian compatriots living in the United States reached out to share their painful experiences
Numerous candidates applying for potentially life-changing positions have seen their applications rejected because of this new policy regarding Haitian gangs. Elysse (a pseudonym), a New York resident for fifteen years, had applied to TTM Technologies, Inc. After successfully passing the main stages of the hiring process, she reached what is typically a routine phase: completing a pre-employment form. There, she encountered a paragraph that instantly shattered any hope of landing the job.
The Department of Defense has set strict guidelines that prevent hiring individuals from certain countries, specifically mentioned in a supplement to U.S. Export Regulations. In simpler terms, this means people from specified countries cannot take jobs involved in the U.S. national security sector.
In practical terms, this new regulation means that certain Haitian nationals are now barred from holding strategic positions—particularly in fields deemed critical to U.S. national security.
For most readers, this information may seem trivial or insignificant. You might think Elysse simply needs to find another job. However, for her and many other heads of households, this position represented an exceptional opportunity to earn a six-figure salary, finally enabling the purchase of a home and ensuring a comfortable life for their loved ones. In its official communication to Elysse, TTM Technologies states:
“As a supplier to the U.S. government, TTM Technologies, Inc. delivers products and services essential to the national security of the United States. Consequently, the contractor must implement certain security measures, both before and after access to classified information. These provisions, taken in the interest of national security, comply with Executive Order 12829 regarding the National Industrial Security Program, Executive Order 10865 concerning the Safeguarding of Classified Information within Industry, and Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 117, National Industrial Security Program.”
I am not the only one concerned about the repercussions of the U.S. decision to classify Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations.
A recent publication by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, based in Geneva, warns that this classification risks worsening the humanitarian crisis and consolidating the gangs’ grip on power. Drawing on UN casualty tracking and local clinic reports, the organization reveals that during the first quarter of 2025, more than 1,617 people lost their lives on Haitian soil, reflecting an alarming escalation of violence. Criminal organizations now control significant portions of the country, particularly in the Artibonite and Central Plateau regions. The number of displaced persons exceeds 1 million, and the majority of the population now requires humanitarian assistance, which marks a 9 percent increase from 2024.
The Global Initiative emphasizes that enforcing these sanctions risks further deteriorating the humanitarian situation. “The major concern is the potential impact of these designations on the ability of humanitarian organizations, both Haitian and international, to continue their relief operations in gang-controlled territories,” the organization explains.
In these controlled areas, negotiations with gang leaders often represent the only means of reaching vulnerable populations. However, under the new sanctions regime, such discussions could be interpreted as material support for a terrorist entity, exposing humanitarian organizations to significant legal and reputational risks. This creates a dire paradox: engage with gangs and face potential prosecution, or remain silent and risk exacerbating famine and suffering among the most vulnerable.
The Global Initiative warns that suspending aid could paradoxically consolidate the gangs’ stranglehold: “Increased isolation of populations under the control of criminal leaders would only strengthen their position of power. Faced with dwindling resources, gangs could intensify their extortion practices and expand their territorial reach.”
Although OFAC issued general humanitarian exemptions in December 2022 to facilitate the continuity of aid in sanctioned contexts, their effective application in Haiti remains uncertain
“The applicability of these exemptions within the framework of the new designations remains ambiguous,” the organization notes, pointing to the lack of coordination between the U.S. administration, Haitian authorities, and international actors.
Furthermore, concerns are growing over a possible withdrawal of international financial institutions from the region. Operators such as Western Union could restrict or suspend their operations, significantly impeding fund transfers, diaspora remittances, and official financial channels. This situation would force humanitarian organizations to turn to informal, less reliable networks, increasing the risk of criminal infiltration into the humanitarian aid system. A similar scenario unfolded in 2015, when remittance restrictions on Somalia led to increased reliance on informal channels, thereby exposing funds to exploitation by illicit actors. This historical precedent highlights the unavoidable economic ripple effects these financial constraints may introduce, reinforcing the potential severity of their impact on Haiti’s already fragile socio-economic structure.
“Such a restrictive operating environment creates an opening that criminal organizations can easily exploit,” the Global Initiative underscores. In this scenario, gangs would strengthen their dominant position, profiting both from the population’s distress and from the vacuum left by official structures.
According to the organization, Haiti thus risks becoming a textbook example of the counterproductive effects of poorly calibrated counterterrorism sanctions, where criminalizing humanitarian dialogue ends up harming vulnerable populations rather than their oppressors.
The challenge is therefore twofold: ensuring clear and effective implementation of humanitarian exemptions, and avoiding a security-focused approach disconnected from the local context.
Two crucial questions arise from these challenges: Who will verify and ensure adherence to humanitarian exemptions? Which local actors could effectively bridge the gaps in negotiation within this complex landscape? Addressing these questions explicitly could catalyze stakeholder engagement and steer efforts toward practical solutions. Without these measures, the international community risks witnessing the entrenchment of a criminal governance system with disastrous consequences for millions of Haitians.
It is clear that the fight against criminality in Haiti would inevitably entail significant collateral damage
The major risk is that gangs continue their criminal activities while this damage persists. This situation would create a vicious cycle in which vulnerable families in Haiti remain victims of gang atrocities, while Haitians abroad face various forms of discrimination. The impact is systemic: discrimination against the diaspora indirectly strengthens the gangs in Haiti by depriving families of financial support and stability, exacerbating an already fragile socio-economic environment. As gang activities intensify, the need for funds grows, driving families to seek remittances from abroad. Yet, when those abroad are hindered, it not only affects these families but also inadvertently fuels the resilience of gang operations. A clear understanding of this cause-and-effect chain can shed light on how interconnected the ramifications of these policies truly are.
Elysse’s case is just one example among many. Numerous Haitians, both at home and abroad, have already suffered the consequences of a decision that, paradoxically, was supposed to improve their living conditions. It is imperative that those affected by these policies transform their concerns into concrete actions. One tangible step could be petitioning OFAC to provide clearer guidance on the humanitarian exemptions, ensuring they are effectively applied and do not inadvertently harm the people they aim to support. By advocating for greater transparency and practical solutions, we can foster an environment where empathy becomes actionable momentum toward meaningful change.
