US Imposes New Sanctions on Key Haiti Gang Leader and Former Police Official

The United States has imposed new financial sanctions on a powerful Haitian gang leader. The Treasury Department also targeted a former senior police officer. This action aims to disrupt the gangs fueling Haiti’s ongoing security crisis.

These sanctions were announced on Friday. They directly target Kempes Sanon, leader of the Bel Air gang, and Dimitri Herard, a former presidential security chief. Both men are now barred from any assets or transactions within the U.S. financial system.

Targeting the Finances of Haiti’s Gang Violence

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Kempes Sanon’s gang is involved in civilian killings and kidnappings. The department stated his group engages in extortion and illicit taxation. Sanon has also played a major role in consolidating the Viv Ansanm gang alliance.

Dimitri Herard was previously imprisoned in connection with the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. He escaped from prison during a major jailbreak last year. The Treasury alleges he has since colluded with gangs, providing them with training and firearms.

Broader Impact on Haiti’s Deepening Crisis

These sanctions are part of a wider international effort to stabilize Haiti. The country’s police force is locked in a years-long battle with powerful gangs. These criminal groups now control most of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The violence has displaced over 1.3 million people. Thousands more have been killed. While international support for a security force has stalled, unilateral sanctions like these aim to cut off the flow of arms and funding to the gangs. However, analysts often warn that sanctions have limited impact when individuals lack significant assets within the sanctioning country.

The new sanctions represent a continued U.S. strategy to pressure key figures behind Haiti’s instability. By targeting a gang leader and a former official, the U.S. aims to weaken the criminal networks controlling the capital. The effectiveness of these Haiti gang sanctions will be closely watched as the humanitarian situation worsens.

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Who exactly was sanctioned by the US?

The US Treasury sanctioned Kempes Sanon, leader of the Bel Air gang, and Dimitri Herard, a former police officer and presidential security chief. Both are now barred from the US financial system.

Why are these sanctions significant?

They target individuals accused of enabling the extreme violence that has displaced over a million people. The action aims to cut off their access to funds and weapons.

What is the Viv Ansanm alliance?

Viv Ansanm is a powerful alliance of gangs led by Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier. It controls large parts of Port-au-Prince and is a major driver of the country’s security crisis.

How do sanctions help the situation in Haiti?

Sanctions aim to disrupt the financial networks that fund gang operations, including arms trafficking. Their success depends on the targets having accessible foreign assets.

What was Dimitri Herard’s previous connection to the government?

Herard was the head of security at the National Palace at the time of President Jovenel Moise’s assassination. He was later imprisoned over alleged ties to the killing before escaping in 2024.