ECNETNews, September 25, 2024: In a decisive move to combat the rising violence in Haiti, the United States Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on former Haitian parliament member Prophane Victor.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed that Victor’s sanctions are due to his involvement in forming, supporting, and supplying arms to gangs responsible for severe human rights violations in Haiti.
Alongside Victor, the Treasury has also sanctioned Luckson Elan, the current leader of the Gran Grif gang, acknowledging his role in human rights abuses linked to gang activities in Haiti’s Artibonite department.
This latest round of sanctions follows previous actions against former President Michel Martelly earlier this year.
“Victor and Elan have perpetuated horrific violence and instability through their leadership roles within gangs in Haiti,” stated Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. “Treasury is dedicated to holding accountable those who exploit human rights abuses, violence, and corruption for political gain.”
Both individuals were highlighted in a recent United Nations Panel of Experts report as pivotal figures in Haiti’s ongoing crisis, which has been marked by unprecedented gang-related violence and humanitarian aid obstruction. The report also notes a troubling increase in sexual and gender-based violence, including rape.
“Promoting accountability for gender-based violence is a top priority for the U.S. government,” emphasized a State Department spokesperson. “We are committed to exposing those who perpetrate such crimes, regardless of their location.”
Victor has a history of arming young men in the Petite Rivière area to solidify his political control, leading to the formation of the Gran Grif gang, now a major perpetrator of abuses in Artibonite. His support for the gang persisted until at least 2020, along with involvement in arms trafficking.
As the leader of Gran Grif, Elan has been linked to numerous criminal activities, including kidnapping, murder, and forced recruitment of children, with the community suffering greatly from the gang violence.
As a result of these sanctions, all U.S.-based assets of Victor and Elan are frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from any transactions with them. Violating these sanctions could lead to severe civil or criminal penalties.
Additionally, financial institutions that engage with the sanctioned entities may face enforcement actions or further sanctions. This includes a ban on any form of support or contributions to the designated individuals.
These sanctions coincide with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s announcement of an additional $160 million in aid for Haiti, raising total U.S. foreign assistance to over $1.3 billion since FY 2021.
“The United States stands with the Haitian people in their quest for a peaceful and democratic future,” Blinken stated.
