The US imposes visa sanctions on Haitian official Fritz Alphonse Jean for alleged gang support, as Haiti faces escalating criminal violence and political instability.
WASHINGTON: The United States has revoked the visa of a Haitian government official accused of supporting criminal gangs and obstructing efforts against them.
The State Department announced sanctions against the official for “supporting gangs and other criminal organizations, and obstructing the government of Haiti’s fight against terrorist gangs.”
It did not publicly name the individual but stated it would revoke any current visas held by them.
A source close to the official identified him as Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of Haiti’s transitional presidential council.
During a press conference, Jean read a statement calling the US accusations a “masquerade” without explicitly confirming he was the target.
“If insisting on good governance and fighting against the perpetuation of a chaotic system that rests on the capture of the state constitutes a crime for which one must pay, I will nevertheless continue on this path without respite,” Jean said.
In May, Washington designated two Haitian gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as terrorist organizations.
The United States “remains committed to supporting Haiti’s stability and expects measurable progress toward free and fair elections,” the State Department added.
Prominent Haitian businessman Dmitri Vorbe, accused of backing gangs, was arrested in the US in September and deported to Haiti.
Another leading businessman, Pierre Reginald Boulos, was arrested by US immigration officials in July for allegedly “contributing to the destabilization of Haiti.”
As the poorest country in the Americas, Haiti has long suffered from criminal gang violence, with murders, rapes, looting and kidnappings prevalent.
The situation worsened significantly in early 2024 when gangs forced then-prime minister Ariel Henry to resign. – AFP
