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The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on three individuals linked to Haiti’s escalating gang violence, marking a significant step toward addressing the country’s worsening security crisis.
The EU Council, composed of member states’ foreign ministers, announced the decision on Monday. In a statement, the Council cited “growing gang violence, ongoing grave human rights abuses, and the persistent impunity of perpetrators” as reasons for the measures.
The sanctions target Jonel Catel, leader of the Terre Noir gang, affiliated with the powerful G9 coalition; Gabriel Jean-Pierre, leader of the GPep gang coalition; and Ferdens Tilus, head of the Kokorat San Ras gang. These groups are heavily implicated in widespread violence, including robberies, kidnappings, extortion, murders, and sexual violence.
The measures include freezing their financial assets within the EU and banning individuals or entities in EU countries from providing them with funds or resources. Additionally, all three are prohibited from traveling to EU member states.
The Council emphasized its willingness to impose further measures if gang-related violence continues to destabilize Haiti.
Haiti has faced a surge in gang activity in recent years, with criminal networks exerting control over significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other regions. The unchecked violence has displaced thousands of people, paralyzed local economies, and worsened an already severe humanitarian crisis.
By imposing these sanctions, the EU seeks to pressure those fueling the violence while supporting Haiti’s efforts to restore security and protect human rights. However, the long-term effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain without broader international and local coordination to address the root causes of instability.
