BRUSSELS, CMC – The European Council has decided to list three Haitian individuals who have engaged in criminal activities and gang violence in Haiti, saying that they are responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability, and security of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
The Council named the three Haitians as Micanor Altès, leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang responsible for the massacre of 207 people in December 2024; Christ-Roi Chéry, leader of the Ti Bwa gang, and Jeff Larose, leader of the Canaan gang, both responsible for the forcible recruitment of children, kidnapping, homicides, and sexual and gender-based violence.
It stated that they will be subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the European Union applies to them.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said a dangerous crisis is only getting worse in Haiti, and that the EU has now imposed new targeted sanctions on individuals, including those involved in mass killings, the forcible recruitment of children, kidnapping, homicides, and sexual and gender-based violence.
“At this moment of grave instability, Haiti urgently needs support from the international community. Discussions at the UN Security Council should secure without further delay the future of the Multinational Security Support Mission, including by giving it the financing it needs to fulfil its mandate of restoring peace, stability, and the rule of law in the country,” she added.
The European Council said it has also decided to renew the EU framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for threatening the peace, stability and security of Haiti or undermining democracy and the rule of law in the country until 29 July 2026, as the EU remains concerned about the persistent and destabilising criminal activities, including the high levels of gang violence, that undermine the stability of the region.
The Council recalled that in its conclusions of 17 October 2024, it stated it remained highly concerned about the situation in Haiti and called for new targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for violence, to help restore peace, security, stability, democracy, and the rule of law in Haiti.
The EU stated that Haiti remains firmly on its agenda and that its support is twofold: on the one hand, to strengthen institutional capacity, and on the other, to facilitate access to basic public services for the population in the very insecure and volatile context.
The EU support entails macroeconomic assistance, as well as aid to education, food security and nutrition, disaster preparedness, protection, and stability, including support to the Haitian National Police.
“The European Union is a long-standing political and development partner of Haiti, and will continue to play its part alongside other regional partners, to help face the dire situation, including the humanitarian crisis in the country,” the Council added.
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