By Michelle L. Price and Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press
Washington (AP) – Trump administration told Congress that it intended to designate Haitian gangs as a foreign terrorist organization, according to people familiar with notification.
The State Department had also labeled eight Latin American crime organizations when it increased pressure on the cartels operating in the United States and anyone who helps them, and the new decision indicates that the administration plans to make similar pressure on the Haiti gangs. The designation includes sanctions and penalties for anyone providing “material support” to the group.
This comes after a series of measures against the Venezuelan gang Tren of Aragua, which was appointed a foreign terrorist organization, then nicknamed a force of invasion under an 18th century law to justify the expulsion of the Venezuelan migrants to a notorious crack of El Salvador by virtue of the president of the immigration of President Donald Trump.
According to the notification sent to the Congress Committees on April 23, the Trump administration said it intended to designate the Haitian gangs VIV Ansamm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations, according to two people familiar with the message, which spoke under the cover of anonymity to discuss details that have not yet been made public.
A third person confirmed that the committees of foreign relations in the Chamber and the Senate received the notification. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
The designation follows a move from the Trump administration in February to Nix protections which protected half a million Haitians from the expulsion.
Amiri reported the United Nations. Danica Coto contributed to this story of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
