State Department targets financial networks of two powerful criminal coalitions designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program has announced a reward of up to $3 million, plus possible relocation assistance, for information that disrupts the financial mechanisms of two of Haiti’s most powerful criminal organizations: the Viv Ansanm gang coalition and Gran Grif.
Both groups were formally designated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May 2025 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). The designations block their assets and prohibit U.S. persons from providing them with any material support.
Despite these measures, the gangs continue to control key economic corridors, generating millions through systematic extortion, kidnappings, arms and drug trafficking, hijackings, and other criminal activities.
Viv Ansanm, formed in September 2023 as an alliance of major Port-au-Prince factions (including G-9 and G-Pèp), has been linked to mass murders, collective rapes (including of American citizens), attacks on government buildings, prisons, police stations, hospitals, and the main airport — actions that helped force the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April 2024. Its primary revenue comes from extortion and ransom kidnappings.
Gran Grif, the dominant force in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley since around 2016, has been tied to 80% of reported civilian deaths in the region since 2022. The group has attacked Haitian National Police and the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support mission (including a February 2025 incident that killed a Kenyan officer). It is also accused of widespread looting, extortion, hijackings, forced child recruitment, and the theft of crops and livestock, which have worsened food insecurity and contributed to Haiti’s ranking among the world’s worst hunger hotspots.
The announcement was publicized through official social media channels and mirrored the visual reward posters issued by RFJ. The move marks a strategic shift in U.S. policy — moving beyond earlier rewards focused on individual gang leaders to directly target the groups’ economic infrastructure and financing networks.
This latest reward underscores the U.S. commitment to combating the criminal networks that have terrorized Haiti, displaced over 1.4 million people, and obstructed humanitarian aid.
L’Union Suite will continue to follow developments in the Rewards for Justice program and broader international efforts to dismantle Haiti’s most dangerous gangs.
Justice and stability for Haiti remain urgent priorities.
















![Grammy-winning producer and Haitian cultural ambassador Michaël Brun is bringing BAYO back to Miami’s Little Haiti on November 22, for a free block party celebrating the movement’s 10th anniversary, made possible through a major partnership with Rockstar Games.
Presented with support from Rockstar Games, the company behind the #GrandTheftAuto (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/grandtheftauto/) franchise, the event will welcome up to 7,500 attendees, the largest Little Haiti edition to date. Admission is free, with tickets distributed through a raffle and more than half reserved specifically for Florida residents and Haitian communities. Fans can sign up now at [bayotour.com]
In announcing the return, Brun said: “10 years ago, BAYO made its US debut as a free block party in Little Haiti celebrating Haitian and Caribbean culture. That show was the beginning of a beautiful journey across 12 cities, over 50,000 tickets sold, multiple arena and park shows and over 140 artist guests from around the world. I’m so proud to be bringing BAYO back to Little Haiti for our biggest show ever on November 22nd. New venue, huge surprises, our most iconic lineup of all time and FREE tickets courtesy of Rockstar Games.”
The timing adds another layer of visibility. Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated GTA VI is set for release on November 19, 2026, just three days before the BAYO celebration. The game’s fictional Vice City is famously inspired by Miami, placing the partnership and the Little Haiti event in the same cultural spotlight.
The Little Haiti return closes an anniversary run that already included Boston’s Agganis Arena and a sold-out three-night residency at Brooklyn Paramount. With Rockstar Games’ support making the celebration free and accessible, the 10th anniversary returns full circle to the neighborhood where BAYO began, bringing music, culture, and community together on a bigger stage.
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican](https://www.lunionsuite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/857202981_18645558742023307_1930732005552624620_n-512x640.jpg)











![Grammy-winning producer and Haitian cultural ambassador Michaël Brun is bringing BAYO back to Miami’s Little Haiti on November 22, for a free block party celebrating the movement’s 10th anniversary, made possible through a major partnership with Rockstar Games.
Presented with support from Rockstar Games, the company behind the #GrandTheftAuto (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/grandtheftauto/) franchise, the event will welcome up to 7,500 attendees, the largest Little Haiti edition to date. Admission is free, with tickets distributed through a raffle and more than half reserved specifically for Florida residents and Haitian communities. Fans can sign up now at [bayotour.com]
In announcing the return, Brun said: “10 years ago, BAYO made its US debut as a free block party in Little Haiti celebrating Haitian and Caribbean culture. That show was the beginning of a beautiful journey across 12 cities, over 50,000 tickets sold, multiple arena and park shows and over 140 artist guests from around the world. I’m so proud to be bringing BAYO back to Little Haiti for our biggest show ever on November 22nd. New venue, huge surprises, our most iconic lineup of all time and FREE tickets courtesy of Rockstar Games.”
The timing adds another layer of visibility. Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated GTA VI is set for release on November 19, 2026, just three days before the BAYO celebration. The game’s fictional Vice City is famously inspired by Miami, placing the partnership and the Little Haiti event in the same cultural spotlight.
The Little Haiti return closes an anniversary run that already included Boston’s Agganis Arena and a sold-out three-night residency at Brooklyn Paramount. With Rockstar Games’ support making the celebration free and accessible, the 10th anniversary returns full circle to the neighborhood where BAYO began, bringing music, culture, and community together on a bigger stage.
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican](https://scontent-yyz1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/858197944_18645558700023307_686072295350904763_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=bOQ5XMx_Z1YQ7kNvwGG7S4C&_nc_oc=AdpRGLfZNHddto393TLgTmmy4hfWc5JLTXDdw5hgJXVgYUpW7ZDy46ppArbX5fDarcg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=IjrD1n26WASdTbFx3uPZVA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIdb0B-FcHr3ubOf5s_qLMbbunjaDo1PV4JA6meh9pbikQhVXYdXZsHywDWhDEUUE1oISm6-ls_&oh=00_AQMvOA4ePtnwiwl5OMsIT7Hvy2IuXpYnuL7A1t1YkqfPtQ&oe=6ADD8873)















