Haiti: up to $3 million offered by the United States against gangs
The United States is offering up to $3 million for information leading to the dismantling of financial networks linked to the Haitian armed groups “Viv Ansanm” and “Gran Grif.”
The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of State under its Rewards for Justice program, which also includes protection measures such as possible relocation for informants.
According to Washington, both groups were officially designated in May 2025 as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists due to their involvement in major violence in Haiti.
Formed in 2023, the “Viv Ansanm” coalition brings together several gang federations operating in Port-au-Prince. It is accused of carrying out coordinated attacks against public institutions, including police stations, prisons, hospitals, and strategic infrastructure. The group is also linked to kidnappings, extortion, arms trafficking, and serious human rights violations, including massacres and sexual violence.
Meanwhile, “Gran Grif,” active in the Artibonite region, is considered one of the most violent armed groups in the country. Initially tied to local political dynamics, it has evolved into a structured criminal organization responsible for attacks against the Haitian National Police and the multinational security mission. A February 2025 attack attributed to the group resulted in the death of a Kenyan officer.
The Rewards for Justice program now targets the financial channels of these organizations, including bank accounts, shell companies, suspicious transactions, and funding networks.
Due to their terrorist designation, all assets linked to these groups in the United States are frozen, and any transactions with them are prohibited for U.S. citizens. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the program through secure channels such as Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram, ensuring confidentiality. Since 1984, the program has paid over $250 million to more than 125 informants worldwide.
