December 23, 2024
In a new effort to curb the violence that is shaking Haiti, the United States announced on September 25, 2024, sanctions against two key figures involved in the country’s destabilization. Prophane Victor, a former Haitian parliamentarian, and Luckson Elan, leader of the Gran Grif gang, are accused of serious human rights violations, including their direct involvement in the formation and arming of gangs operating in the Artibonite region.
This decision comes as the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, worsened by increasingly violent and organized gangs. According to the final report of the United Nations Group of Experts, Victor and Elan are directly responsible for much of the violence destabilizing the country. The report highlights “unprecedented levels of violence and cruelty,” including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and a surge in sexual violence, particularly rape.
The U.S. State Department reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability for gender-based violence, emphasizing that these sanctions are part of the Magnitsky program, designed to target human rights violators worldwide. Matthew Miller, the department’s spokesperson, stated that “holding individuals accountable for gender-based violence is a top priority” for the U.S. government.
Executive Order 13818, invoked in this context, is based on the Magnitsky Act, which allows for the sanctioning of individuals for corruption and human rights violations globally. In November 2022, President Joe Biden reinforced this commitment through a memorandum on promoting accountability for conflict-related sexual violence.
In addition to targeting Prophane Victor and Luckson Elan, these sanctions are also intended to send a strong message to other actors involved in the Haitian crisis. The United States has renewed its commitment to using all available tools—whether diplomatic, financial, or legal—to continue combating crimes perpetrated in Haiti and elsewhere.
With this new measure, Washington hopes to help restore the security and stability needed for the organization of elections in Haiti, scheduled for February 2026, and to bring peace to a country experiencing one of the worst levels of violence in its recent history.