Washington revokes entry privileges for unnamed Haitian officials accused of backing gangs and obstructing security efforts as violence deepens across Haiti.
United States has imposed visa restrictions on a Haitian government official accused of supporting criminal gangs and hindering national security efforts, the State Department announced on Monday November 24, 2025, marking the latest move in Washington’s escalating pressure campaign over Haiti’s worsening crisis.
In a brief statement, the department said the unnamed official had provided backing to gangs and other criminal networks that the U.S. describes as “terrorist gangs.” The official’s existing U.S. visas have been revoked, and the restrictions will apply to future applications as well. Under U.S. privacy laws, the department did not release the individual’s name or government position.
The decision comes as Haiti faces a spiraling security and humanitarian emergency. Armed groups now control large sections of Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions, severely limiting movement, shutting down transport routes and driving tens of thousands of residents from their homes. The violence has intensified since 2021, when the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse further destabilized the country and deepened institutional paralysis.
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Washington has sought to hold accountable Haitian political, business and security figures believed to be enabling criminal organizations. Over the past year, the U.S. has issued multiple rounds of visa bans and financial sanctions targeting individuals accused of collaborating with or financing gangs that have overwhelmed the country’s security forces.
U.S. officials say the latest visa restriction underscores growing concerns that elements within Haiti’s political establishment may be undermining efforts by the country’s transitional authorities to restore order. The State Department emphasized that the move is part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting Haiti’s path toward stability, including eventual elections once security conditions permit.
Haiti’s gangs have tightened their grip through kidnappings, territorial takeovers and coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure, including police stations and fuel depots. The United Nations estimates that thousands have been killed or injured this year, with many more trapped in neighborhoods controlled by heavily armed groups.
The U.S. has backed the deployment of a Kenya-led multinational security mission authorized by the UN, though delays, funding concerns and political resistance inside Haiti have complicated the timeline.
The State Department signaled that additional actions could follow if Haitian officials continue to obstruct security measures or facilitate gang activity. “The United States will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability,” the statement said.
