Overview:
In the latest display of Washington’s power over Haitian leaders, the U.S. announced visa restrictions on two members of Haiti’s Presidential Council and their immediate families, alleging the pair have ties to gangs, after the CPT announced plans to change prime ministers.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The U.S. Department of State announced it will impose visa restrictions on two members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), amid a fight over switching out Haiti’s prime minister as the temporary body’s term nears its end date.
In a statement issued Jan. 25, United States officials said the visa restrictions also apply to spouses and children. The State Department did not identify the two council members but said the decision was tied to their alleged role in supporting or protecting gangs operating in Haiti.
The State Department did not identify the two council members but said the decision was tied to their alleged role in supporting or protecting gangs operating in Haiti. The visa restrictions, which apply to the spouses and children of the councilors, were imposed under INA 212(a)(3)(C), a U.S. immigration law that allows Washington to bar entry to foreign officials whose actions could have serious consequences for U.S. foreign policy.
“These actions are being taken due to the TPC members’ involvement in the operation of gangs and other criminal organizations in Haiti,” said State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Further, he accused the officials of interfering with the Haitian government’s efforts to confront gangs the U.S. has designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, which is part of broader efforts to support stability in Haiti and to hold political leaders accountable for gang violence in the country.
Sanction follows earlier warnings to CPT
Days before the visa restriction announcement came down, Haiti’s CPT received intense pressure from the international community and within its own body over removing Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The CPT’s mandate runs until Feb. 7, prompting the U.S., Canada, the European Union and the Organization of American States to publicly urge council members not to act so close to the end of their mandate.
“These actions are being taken due to the TPC members’ involvement in the operation of gangs and other criminal organizations in Haiti, including through interference with…Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”
Thomas Pigott, US State Department
Council members Leslie Voltaire, Edgard Leblanc, Louis Gérald Gilles, Fritz Alphonse Jean and Smith Augustin argued that replacing the prime minister was necessary to move forward with a national dialogue ahead of the post–Feb. 7 transition. During a Jan. 23 press conference, they announced the appointment of a new interim prime minister, though the decree formalizing the decision has yet to be published.
Now, three sitting council members have faced U.S. sanctions, following action taken against Fritz Alphonse Jean in November 2025. At the time, the U.S. accused Jean of maintaining ties with armed gangs and contributing to Haiti’s destabilization. Jean denied the allegations, calling on U.S. authorities to provide evidence against him. He also said he was being targeted because of his opposition to Fils-Aimé.
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