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Gilbert Bigio, the founder of the GB Group and frequently described as Haiti’s richest man, has built a vast business empire that spans industries from construction and energy to food production. His wealth, however, has come under renewed scrutiny due to his use of offshore accounts and recent sanctions imposed by the Canadian government. While Bigio has remained politically discreet, his economic power makes him an influential figure in Haiti’s turbulent environment.
The Bigio Empire
Bigio, 86, founded GB Group in 1972, which has since grown to become one of the largest conglomerates in Haiti. The company’s businesses touch nearly every aspect of the Haitian economy, including construction materials, fuel distribution, and household essentials. One of its most significant achievements is the construction of Port Lafito, a private container terminal that plays a crucial role in Haiti’s import and export trade.
In addition to his activities in Haiti, Bigio’s business interests extend to the Dominican Republic and Florida, where he and his family own property and have expanded their enterprises. The group’s energy holdings include operations under the Texaco brand, which services multiple countries in the Caribbean.
Offshore Holdings and Pandora Papers
Bigio’s name surfaced in the Pandora Papers, a global investigation into offshore accounts conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The leaked documents revealed that Bigio and his family used offshore companies registered in tax havens like the British Virgin Islands and Bahamas to manage and protect their wealth. While the use of offshore structures is not illegal, it raises questions about transparency and potential tax avoidance, particularly in a country like Haiti, where income inequality is extreme.
According to Transparency International, the complex web of offshore entities linked to Bigio’s businesses raises concerns about the opacity of his financial dealings. Despite this, there have been no legal actions or charges brought against him related to these offshore accounts.
Canadian Sanctions
In November 2022, the Canadian government imposed sanctions on Bigio, accusing him and other prominent Haitian businessmen of financing gangs that have contributed to the country’s worsening violence and instability. These sanctions, which freeze any Canadian-held assets and block financial transactions, are part of broader international efforts to address the security crisis in Haiti.
The sanctions allege that Haiti’s elites, including Bigio, have played a role in supporting the criminal networks that exacerbate the country’s insecurity. The Canadian government’s decision reflects growing frustration with the lack of accountability among the country’s most powerful figures, particularly in the context of ongoing gang violence and political dysfunction.
Political Influence and Discretion
Despite his vast economic influence, Bigio has largely kept his political activities out of the public eye. He is not known to be affiliated with any political party or movement, preferring to operate behind the scenes. However, his business decisions and investments often intersect with key political developments. For example, after the ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004, Bigio’s business empire, along with that of other elites, expanded significantly.
While Bigio avoids public political endorsements, his financial activities have often drawn attention during times of political upheaval. In the early 1990s, Bigio was among more than 200 wealthy Haitians sanctioned by the United States following a military coup, although these sanctions were lifted by the Clinton administration in 1994.
Criticism and Social Impact
Bigio’s role in Haiti’s economy has not been without controversy. His family’s wealth, built in part through monopolies on essential imports, has long been a point of contention in a country where poverty and inequality are deeply entrenched. Critics argue that Haiti’s elite, including Bigio, have benefited from the country’s political instability and economic dysfunction, while investing relatively little in social programs that could benefit the country’s impoverished majority.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pointed to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a small group of elites as a major contributor to Haiti’s income inequality. In a 2020 report, the IMF noted that these elites, many of whom gained their wealth under the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier, control vast sectors of the economy but have not reinvested significantly in public services or infrastructure.
Gilbert Bigio remains an influential and complex figure in Haiti. While he has largely stayed out of the political spotlight, his economic power and recent scrutiny over his offshore holdings and involvement in international sanctions highlight the central role he plays in Haiti’s political and economic landscape. As the country continues to grapple with deep-seated issues of poverty, violence, and corruption, the actions of its wealthiest citizens, including Bigio, will continue to be a focal point of both domestic and international attention.
