Haïti à Travers les Pages

  U.S. Labels Haitian Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations — A Policy Shift we Long Argued Was Inevitable By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Port-au-Prince, Haiti — April 19, 2025. In a sweeping move that reshapes the U.S. approach to Haiti’s security crisis, the Trump administration has announced plans to formally designate Haiti’s most powerful criminal networks—including the infamous Viv Ansanm coalition and the rural-based Gran Grif armed group—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) [1]. As one of the earliest analysts to publicly argue that these gangs met the threshold for terrorism, I believe this decision—though politically fraught—is long overdue. The implications are profound. Under the new classification, the U.S. will be able to pursue not only gang members but also those who enable them—from arms traffickers and money launderers to complicit Haitian politicians and business elites. Anyone found providing "material support" to these groups wi...

  Biden Administration's Sanctions on Michel Martelly: Strategic Punishment or Political Maneuvering? By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson   (Le Francais suit) The Biden administration's recent sanctions against former Haitian President Michel Martelly have raised eyebrows across the Caribbean and within political circles in Washington. As the U.S. government levels serious accusations of drug trafficking, money laundering, and gang sponsorship against Martelly, questions abound about the true motivations behind this move. Is this a calculated effort to punish a former ally who fell out of favor, or is it a strategic maneuver aimed at bolstering Vice President Kamala Harris's prospects as she potentially gears up for a presidential run? The Sanctions: A Serious Accusation On August 20, 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Michel Martelly, citing his involvement in drug trafficking and his connections with violent gangs in Haiti. These sanctions ar...

  Les Autorités Canadiennes en Eaux Troubles en Haïti : Un Paradoxe Entre Éloges et Sanctions Par Patrick Prézeau Stephenson  (English Follows) Une révélation récente qui souligne la complexité des interactions entre diplomatie et sécurité dans les zones de crise a émergé grâce à des courriels obtenus par les avocats , montrant un diplomate canadien et un officier de la GRC faisant l'éloge de Reynold Deeb, un homme d'affaires haïtien actuellement sous sanctions canadiennes pour ses prétendus liens avec des activités de gangs. Ce paradoxe est mis en lumière après que Deeb a facilité le transport par hélicoptère de citoyens canadiens et de policiers depuis son luxueux terrain de golf en Haïti — un geste décrit comme « exceptionnel » par les officiels canadiens concernés[1] . Une Alliance Ambiguë Les félicitations adressées à Deeb par les autorités canadiennes à travers ces courriels dressent un tableau vivant des décisions difficiles rencontrées dans des situations urgen...

  Navigating Haiti's Political Quagmire: Beyond Zero-Sum Realities Par Patrick Prézeau Stephenson:  (le français suit) Introduction Haiti stands at a critical juncture, marked by the intricate dance of political actors, evolving strategies, and high-stakes dilemmas. De Facto PM Ariel Henry, a pivotal player in this unfolding drama, is enmeshed in complex negotiations where the opposition teeters between advocating for his departure and grappling with the uncertainties of a post-Henry era. The prevailing narrative, exemplified by the de facto regime's intent to cling to power post-February 7, 2024, represents a stark contrast to the cooperative paradigm advocated in the "Appel du Lambi" manifesto. This analytical exploration aims to dissect the mechanisms driving this crisis, revealing the power dynamics and nuanced strategies deployed by the key players.   Forces at Play: Actors, Coalitions, and Global Dynamics In the realm of game theory, as advanced by...