US proposes UN sanctions against Haiti gangs

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The US proposed on Monday UN sanctions against criminal groups in Haiti, including asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

"It would target those responsible for gang violence for trafficking arms, for attacking UN personnel, for kidnapping innocent citizens and for human rights abuses and sexual and gender based violence," US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield told the 15-member UN Security Council.

"The UN sanctions regime aims to stop these criminal actors from having access to reputable financial institutions and it would work to freeze their assets and prohibit their international travel".

The Caribbean nation's government earlier urged the international community to deploy international forces to combat gang violence and address humanitarian crisis, a call that the UN chief also supports.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Monday that the situation in Haiti is "absolutely nightmarish" and an "armed" intervention is needed to unblock the Varreux fuel terminal controlled by gangs, referring to a storage center located north of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

Thomas-Greenfield said the resolution drafted by the US and Mexico specifically lists Jimmy Cherizier, also known by the nickname "Barbecue".

She accused the gang leader of being directly responsible for the devastating fuel shortage that is crippling the country.

Thomas-Greenfield said that arms embargo provisions would prevent the direct or indirect supply, sell or transfer of arms to criminal gangs and their leaders.

She also laid out plans for international security assistance to be sent to Haiti, adding that this non-UN mission would be led by a partner country and facilitate support to the Haitian police to help improve security.

Haiti has faced a number of catastrophes in recent years, including ravaging earthquakes, political tumult and rampant gang violence.

Powerful criminal groups have blocked the country's main fuel terminal since September, crippling basic supplies such as water and food and preventing businesses and hospitals from operating.

Cholera has also reemerged in Haiti this month with dozens dead amid a scarcity of water and other basic supplies.

The top UN official in Haiti told the Security Council that gangs continue to injure, kidnap, rape and kill and that rape is systematically used as a weapon of control and terror.

"Gang violence is critically inhibiting a humanitarian response to a resurgent disease as well as to hunger, with a record 4.7 million people facing acute hunger, including tens of thousands on the brink of starvation," Helen La Lime said.