News Americas, New York, NY, September 25, 2024: The United States Treasury Department has sanctioned another Haitian politician, former member of parliament Profane Victor, as part of its ongoing efforts to address the growing violence in Haiti.
A spokesman for the US State Department stated that Victor is being sanctioned for his role in the formation, support and arming of gangs that have committed serious human rights violations in Haiti.
In addition to Victor, the Treasury also sanctioned Luckson Elan, the current leader of the Gran Grif gang, for his involvement in human rights violations related to gang activity in Haiti’s Artibonite department.
The new sanctions come a little more than a month since former president Michel Martelly was also sanctioned.
“Victor and Elan, through their influence or gang leadership in Haiti, have sought to perpetuate horrific violence and instability,” said acting Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. “Treasury remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to use human rights abuses, violence and corruption to achieve their political goals.”
Both Victor and Elan were identified in the recent report of the United Nations Panel of Experts as the main figures responsible for the Haiti crisis. The report described the gang-related violence as unprecedented, citing “indiscriminate attacks on the population” and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. He also highlighted the increase in sexual and gender-based violence, particularly rape, as one of the most horrific forms of violence over the past two years.
“Promoting accountability for gender-based violence is a top priority for the US government and for our use of the Global Magnitsky sanctions program,” a State Department spokesperson emphasized. “We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to expose those who commit such heinous crimes wherever they occur.”
Victor, a former Haitian lawmaker, began arming youth in Petite Rivière, Artibonite, to secure his political control over the area, culminating in his election in 2016. These men later formed the Gran Grif gang, now the largest gang in the Artibonite region and a major perpetrator of abuses, including sexual violence. Victor continued to support the gang until at least 2020 and is also implicated in arms trafficking and financial support of other gangs in Haiti.
Elan, as the current head of Gran Grif, is responsible for numerous atrocities, including the kidnapping, murder, rape, and forced recruitment of children. His gang violence has left communities devastated, with innocent civilians paying the price for ongoing gang conflict.
Following these sanctions, all US-based properties and assets of Victor and Elan are frozen and US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Violations of these sanctions may result in civil or criminal penalties. Non-US persons are also prohibited from facilitating activities that would violate the sanctions.
Financial institutions and individuals who engage with sanctioned entities risk facing enforcement actions or additional sanctions. These restrictions include the prohibition of contributions or the provision of funds, goods or services to or by any particular person.
The sanctions come as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced an additional $160 million in development, economic, health and security assistance to Haiti, bringing total US foreign aid to over $1.3 billion through 2021.
“The United States supports the Haitian people and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic Haiti,” Blinken said.
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