U.S. imposes sanctions on two Haitian politicians over drug trafficking By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The US on Friday imposed sanctions on a present and a former Haitian senator, accusing the 2 politicians of partaking in worldwide drug trafficking actions, Washington’s newest motion focusing on corruption within the Caribbean nation.

In a press release, the U.S. Treasury Division stated it had frozen the U.S. property of Haitian senator Rony Celestin and former senator Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand.

“Rony Celestin and Richard Fourcand are two extra examples of corrupt Haitian politicians abusing their energy to additional drug trafficking actions throughout the area,” the Treasury’s Underneath Secretary for Terrorism and Monetary Intelligence, Brian Nelson, stated within the assertion.

“Treasury will proceed to carry corrupt officers and malign actors accountable for the illicit drug trafficking that’s destabilizing Haiti.”

Fourcand and a spokesperson for the Haitian prime minister’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. Reuters couldn’t instantly attain Celestin for remark.

The Treasury accused Celestin of utilizing his political place to prepare the import of medicine from Venezuela into Haiti in addition to the export of medicine to america and the Bahamas.

Washington stated Fourcand makes use of his plane to move medication by southern Haiti and accused him of utilizing his “political clout” to put in individuals in authorities positions that might assist facilitate his drug trafficking actions.

Friday’s transfer freezes any U.S. property of the 2 and usually bars Individuals from coping with them. The Treasury stated Canada had additionally blacklisted the 2 politicians.

In September, Haitian gangs created a humanitarian disaster by blocking a gasoline terminal for almost six weeks, halting most financial exercise and triggering U.N. dialogue of a doable overseas strike drive to open the terminal.

Canada and america have sanctioned political leaders who allegedly finance the gangs, which based on coverage makers are backed by Haitian elites.