The Trump administration has begun taking aggressive steps to increase pressure on violent criminal groups in the Caribbean. According to sources close to Congress, U.S. officials recently notified lawmakers of a plan to label Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations. This decision follows similar actions taken earlier this year against several Latin American crime syndicates.
In February, the U.S. government officially designated eight Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. These included notorious groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. This move marked a significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to combat cross-border crime and reduce domestic threats.
Now, the focus is shifting to Haiti. The administration is aiming to classify Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations, a decision that could bring sweeping consequences. The designation allows for strict sanctions and legal penalties for anyone supporting these groups. It also grants U.S. authorities broader tools to pursue suspects, both at home and abroad.
President Donald Trump, during a rally in Michigan on Tuesday, praised the move. He claimed the new label would empower the government to take stronger action against criminal networks. “They’ve been designated the highest level of terrorist,” Trump said. “That lets us do a lot of things you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”
Haiti continues to suffer from increasing gang violence. In Port-au-Prince, criminal groups have seized control of key neighborhoods. Earlier this year, over 260 people died in attacks in Kenscoff and Carrefour. The local police, along with a Kenyan-led U.N. mission, took hours to respond to the violence.
The ongoing crisis has worsened food insecurity in Haiti. More than half of the country’s population could face extreme hunger by June. Over 8,000 people currently live in unsafe shelters, many without access to basic resources.
The Trump administration’s strategy reflects a broader effort to manage immigration and border security. Officials have already invoked 18th-century wartime laws to deport individuals tied to foreign criminal groups. In one case, migrants linked to Tren de Aragua were sent to a prison in El Salvador.
Human rights groups have criticized these moves, citing concerns about due process and asylum rights. However, supporters argue that such steps are necessary to restore order and safety.
As the crisis grows, U.S. officials remain determined. They intend to keep pushing for the classification of Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations, which could significantly change how the U.S. engages with the region.
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