The U.S. labeled the VIV Ansanm and Gran Grif gangs in Haiti’s “foreign terrorist group”, a move that follows a trend under President Donald Trump’s leadership, demanding the issuance of terrorists against criminal groups in Latin America.

As part of Friday’s announcement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the two gangs spread violence and chaos in Haiti, with armed groups exerting substantial control over most of the capital ports.

"For those who support violence in Haiti, the age of impunity is over," Rubio said in a press statement.

“Haitian gangs, including the Viv Ansanm Alliance and Gran Grif, are the main sources of instability and violence in Haiti. They are direct threats to the national security interests of the United States in our region.”

The Trump administration has made tough stances on criminal groups in Latin America, often linking these efforts to domestic priorities, such as stopping irregular immigration and drug trafficking.

In February, the United States also designated eight drug trafficking and criminal groups as "terrorist groups", including gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Tren de Aragua and several Mexican drug cartels (Tren de Aragua).

Although such groups perform acts of violence and intimidation, experts often distinguish between them and traditional “terrorist” organizations that usually have clear political goals.

The designation of a "foreign terrorist organization" makes it unacceptable for any member of a given group to enter the United States.

It also prohibits the provision of "material support or resources" to the group, a legally dangerous element that may inadvertently punish individuals in areas where gangs are deeply embedded in the local economy and government.

But Trump and his allies have tried to make opposing bets against criminal organizations and cartels and blamed them on undocumented immigration and illegal drug trafficking into the United States.

In the past, he and other Republican leaders have even suggested that the United States could conduct military strikes against countries such as Mexico to deal with gang threats, which have been shocked by possible violations of territorial sovereignty.

While U.S.-Mexico relations remain strong, critics fear that positive moves, including the use of the Mexican cartel's terrorism name, could undermine cooperation as both countries resolve organized crime.

In Haiti, gang threats are common. For example, the name of the VIV Ansanm Alliance is called "Live Together" and is believed to control up to 85% of the au-r-rince, preventing commercial flights from reaching and limiting essential supplies such as food and medicine.

As many Haitian civilians face hunger, displacement and violence, critics fear that the new name might make it necessary to negotiate with gangs, it is difficult to send necessary supplies to the country.

"The initial consequence will be about humanitarianism and international cooperation, which is basically the only thing that stops the Haitian people from starving," Romain Le Cour, an expert on the global opposition to transnational organized crime initiatives, told the Associated Press.

Experts point out that these gangs often charge operations in and around their territory. The designation of "terrorists" can make criminal offenses in the United States a criminal offense.

"It can serve as a de facto embargo," said Jake Johnston, director of international research at the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Studies.

"Gangs exercise huge control over the country's trade," he added. "There will be greater risks in any business with or in Haiti."

Gang control in Haiti has increased in recent years, especially after the killing of Jovenel Moise in 2021. His death caused a power vacuum, and no federal elections have been held since then, thus weakening public trust in state institutions.

The gang has used vacuum to control the control. More than one million people are internally displaced by violence, and the United Nations estimates that 5.7 million residents (almost half of the countries) do not have enough food to eat.

Kenya leads an unsupported international security mission to strengthen local police fighting gangs. However, the mission has been heavily dependent on U.S. support, some of which Trump has been frozen since taking office.

The task force has been working to make an impact, and so far, one of Kenyan police officers was shot dead as part of the mission, its first known death.

Skeptics also question the effectiveness of the international group, considering the long and disastrous history of foreign interventions, including the United States.

Trump has also tried to abolish programs such as Temporary Protection Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole to enable Haitians to live legally in the United States. Under TPS alone, an estimated 520,694 Haitians are protected. But under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security plans to sign the Haitians’ TPS plan by August.