January 29, 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti announced Thursday the designation of Dimitri Herard and Kempes Sanon under Executive Order 13224 for their support of the foreign terrorist organization Viv Ansanm. “Sanon and Herard have fueled gang violence, extortion, and attacks against the Haitian population,” the statement said.
Dimitri Herard, former head of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, is a name already linked to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. He is among those indicted in that emblematic case of impunity and, according to U.S. authorities, played a role in protecting and coordinating some of the individuals involved.
Kempes Sanon, meanwhile, is identified as the leader of the Bel Air gang and an active member of the Viv Ansanm coalition. The U.S. Treasury accuses him of helping consolidate gang power through terror, corruption, and the kidnapping of civilians.
The sanctions imposed by Washington result in the freezing of all assets held by the two men within U.S. jurisdiction. “The era of impunity is over,” the embassy emphasized, highlighting the United States’ determination to “hold accountable those who seek to destabilize Haiti.”
By targeting two figures at the intersection of state security and organized crime, the U.S. administration aims to send a clear signal to all armed and political networks. These measures confirm a break with years of complacency and tolerance that have fueled the country’s destabilization.
