U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesperson May 2, 2025 Fact Sheet
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince
· 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Viv Ansanm is a group formed in September 2023 as a gang coalition born from an alliance between the two main gang factions operating in Port-au-Prince, namely G-9 and G-Pép.
These groups offer a unified platform for criminal groups that use violence to destabilize Haiti and stifle actions aimed at restoring state control. Viv Ansanm launched coordinated attacks against critical infrastructure in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and the country's main airport in Port-au-Prince, as part of a campaign that notably forced former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.
Gran Grif is the largest gang in the Artibonite department, a region that is home to a large portion of the country's rice fields. Since 2022, Gran Grif has been responsible for 80% of reported civilian deaths in Artibonite. Gran Grif attacked the Haitian National Police and the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, notably during the February 2025 attack that cost the life of a Kenyan MSS officer.
Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities or individuals, prohibiting their access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out their attacks.
All property and interests in property of the persons designated today, which are in the United States or are in the possession or control of a U.S. person, are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with sanctioned persons. Persons, including U.S. citizens, who engage in certain transactions or activities with these entities or individuals may be exposed to sanctions risks. It should be noted that engaging in certain transactions with the organizations designated today carries a risk of secondary sanctions under counterterrorism authorities. Knowingly providing material support or resources to these organizations, attempting to do so, or conspiring to do so constitutes a crime. Furthermore, designations as terrorist organizations can facilitate enforcement actions by other U.S. agencies and governments. The actions taken today are taken pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended. FTO designations take effect upon their publication in the Federal Register. Applicants seeking the removal of persons designated today from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list should refer to the Department of State's Delisting Guidance page.
All property and interests in property of the persons designated today, which are in the United States or are in the possession or control of a U.S. person, are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with sanctioned persons. Persons, including U.S. citizens, who engage in certain transactions or activities with these entities or individuals may be exposed to sanctions risks. It should be noted that engaging in certain transactions with the organizations designated today carries a risk of secondary sanctions under counterterrorism authorities. Knowingly providing material support or resources to these organizations, attempting to do so, or conspiring to do so constitutes a crime. Furthermore, designations as terrorist organizations can facilitate enforcement actions by other U.S. agencies and governments. The actions taken today are taken pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended. FTO designations take effect upon their publication in the Federal Register. Applicants seeking the removal of persons designated today from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list should refer to the Department of State's Delisting Guidance page.
