Canada imposes sanctions against Haitian economic elites

December 5 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations in response to the egregious conduct of Haitian elites who provide illicit financial and operational support to armed gangs.

These latest sanctions target 3 high-profile members of the economic elite in Haiti –Gilbert Bigio, Reynold Deeb and Sherif Abdallah – and impose a dealings prohibition on them, effectively freezing any assets they may hold in Canada.

Canada has reason to believe these individuals are using their status as high-profile members of the economic elite in Haiti to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through money laundering and other acts of corruption.

These gangs and their supporters continue to terrorize vulnerable populations in Haiti with impunity and are precipitating a humanitarian crisis in the country that includes the resurgence of cholera. They are also committing unspeakable violence, including widespread sexual violence, against affected populations and impeding the delivery of critical services and humanitarian aid.

The sanctions Canada has imposed are intended to put pressure on those responsible for the ongoing violence and instability in Haiti. These people must stop providing funds and weapons to criminal gangs in Haiti. We encourage all stakeholders to support real progress on a political agreement that will lead to an inclusive and constructive dialogue, and end to the current crisis. This is the only way to help create the environment needed for a return to stability, law and order, and democracy in Haiti.