The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Dimitri Herard and Kempes Sanon for their involvement with the Haitian gang coalition Viv Ansanm. Herard is identified as a supporter of Viv Ansanm, while Sanon is described as the leader of the Bel Air gang, a group within the Viv Ansanm alliance. According to OFAC, Viv Ansanm is responsible for contributing to violence and instability in Haiti.

“Today’s action underscores the critical role of gang leaders and facilitators like Herard and Sanon, whose support enables Viv Ansanm’s campaign of violence, extortion, and terrorism in Haiti,” said Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control Bradley T. Smith. “The United States is committed to holding accountable the violent terrorist gangs that endanger the Haitian people.”

Viv Ansanm was previously designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Department of State on May 2, 2025. The sanctions announced by OFAC are pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters.

Herard, a former Haitian police officer, was previously connected to the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and later imprisoned by Haitian authorities. After escaping from prison in 2024, Herard reportedly began supporting Viv Ansanm and its leaders with training and firearms. Sanon has been involved in consolidating Viv Ansanm’s power and has been linked to acts such as civilian killings, extortion, illicit taxation, and kidnappings.

The sanctions block all property and interests in property belonging to Herard and Sanon that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons. Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also affected. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving blocked persons or their property unless authorized by OFAC.

Violations of these sanctions may result in civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC’s enforcement guidelines outline the consequences and procedures related to sanctions violations. Financial institutions and others may also face sanctions for engaging in transactions with designated individuals or entities.

Foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct significant transactions for sanctioned individuals may be subject to secondary sanctions, including restrictions on correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States.

OFAC notes that its sanctions are intended to bring about positive behavioral change and not simply to punish. Information about removal from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List is available through its published guidance.

Further details about today’s designations can be found on the Treasury Department’s website.