December 23, 2024
The UN Security Council has expanded its list of sanctioned individuals by adding Victor Prophane, a former Haitian parliamentarian, and Luckson Élan, leader of the Gran Grif gang. This decision was made official on September 27, 2024, according to a statement published on the UN’s website.
The Sanctions Committee, established by Resolution 2653, took this step under the provisions of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The statement outlines the reasons for the action: Victor Prophane is accused of involvement in arms trafficking and using violence to achieve political objectives, while Luckson Élan is identified as the leader of a powerful criminal group, the Gran Grif gang.
The sanctions include travel restrictions and the freezing of these two men’s international assets, aiming to prevent them from continuing activities that destabilize the country. The United States had also taken similar measures against Prophane and Élan the previous week, demonstrating strengthened international coordination in addressing the situation in Haiti.
These new sanctions follow a series of actions targeting influential figures suspected of spreading violence and instability in Haiti. Other previously sanctioned individuals include well-known names such as Jimmy Chérizier, alias Barbecue, Johnson André, known as Izo, Renel Destina, also called Ti Lapli, Wilson Joseph, known as Lanmò San Jou, and Vitelhomme Innocent.
The Security Council remains determined to put pressure on those contributing to the violent climate in Haiti. By sanctioning political leaders and gang chiefs, the UN hopes to encourage a return to stability and bolster efforts to restore peace and security in the country.