World
Proposed UN resolution would sanction top Haitian gang chief
Published
4 years agoon
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council is negotiating a resolution that would impose an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban on influential Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, nicknamed “Barbeque.”
It also would target other Haitian individuals and groups who engage in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country, according to the text obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.
The U.S.-drafted resolution singles out by name Cherizier, a former police officer who leads an alliance of Haitian gangs known as the “G9 Family and Allies.” But it would establish a Security Council committee to designate other Haitians and groups to be put on a blacklist and subjected to sanctions as well.
The draft resolution expresses “grave concern about the extremely high levels of gang violence and other criminal activities, including kidnappings, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, and homicides, and sexual and gender-based violence including rape and sexual slavery, as well as ongoing impunity for perpetrators, corruption and recruitment of children by gangs and the implications of Haiti’s situation for the region.”
The Security Council moved up a meeting on Haiti to Monday because of the increasingly dire situation in the country.
Daily life in Haiti began to spin out of control last month just hours after Prime Minister Ariel Henry said fuel subsidies would be eliminated, causing prices to double. Gangs blocked the entrance to the Varreux fuel terminal, leading to a severe shortage of fuel at a time that clean water is also scarce and the country is trying to deal with a deadly cholera outbreak.
The draft resolution says “Cherizier and his G9 gang confederation are actively blocking the free movement of fuel from the Varreux fuel terminal — the largest in Haiti.”
“His actions have directly contributed to the economic paralysis and humanitarian crisis in Haiti,” it says.
In a video posted on Facebook last week, Cherizier called on the government to grant him and G9 members amnesty and to void all arrest warrants against them. He said in Creole that Haiti’s economic and social situation is worsening by the day, so “there is no better time than today to dismantle the system.”
He outlined a transitional plan for restoring order in Haiti. It would include creation of a Council of Sages with one representative from each of Haiti’s 10 departments to govern the country with an interim president until a presidential election could be held in February 2024. It also calls for restructuring Haiti’s National Police and strengthening the army.
“The country is (facing) one crisis after another,” Cherizier said. “During all these crises, the first victim is the population, the people in the ghettos, the peasants.”
Haiti has been in the grips of an inflationary vise that is squeezing its people and exacerbating protests that have brought society to the breaking point. Violence is raging, making parents afraid to send their kids to school. Hospitals, banks and grocery stores are struggling to stay open.
The president of neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, recently described the situation as a “low-intensity civil war.” His government is cracking down on Haitians migrating to the Dominican Republic.
Political instability has simmered ever since last year’s still-unsolved assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who had faced opposition protests calling for his resignation over corruption charges and claims that his five-year term had ended. Moïse dissolved Parliament in January 2020 after legislators failed to hold elections in 2019 amid political gridlock.
Last week, Haiti’s prime minister and 18 high-ranking officials requested “the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity” by international partners to stop the “criminal actions” of armed gangs across the country.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to the Security Council on Sunday calling for the deployment of a rapid action force by one or several U.N. member states to help Haiti’s National Police.
That force would “remove the threat posed by armed gangs and provide immediate protection to critical infrastructure and services,” as well as secure the “free movement of water, fuel, food and medical supplies from main ports and airports to communities and health care facilities,” he said.
The draft resolution takes note of Guterres’ letter, welcomes the appeal from Haiti, and encourages “the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force” to support the Haitian National Police, as the secretary-general recommends.
U.S. officials said Wednesday the Biden administration will provide security and humanitarian assistance to Haiti and pull visas to current and former government officials involved with gangs.
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US NATIONAL NEWS
U.S. Expands Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Financial Networks and Regime Financiers
Published
13 hours agoon
July 10, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The Trump administration announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting individuals and businesses accused of helping finance Iran’s ruling elite and facilitating international financial transactions on behalf of the Iranian regime.
The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, target a global financial network that U.S. officials say supports Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior regime officials.
Global Financial Network Targeted
According to the administration, the sanctions focus on Ali Ansari, a Dubai-based Iranian national accused of managing an extensive network of real estate and commercial holdings across multiple countries on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and other regime insiders.
U.S. officials said the network includes assets and business interests in:
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Cyprus
- United Arab Emirates
- Other international jurisdictions
The administration alleges the network has been used to help Iranian regime officials maintain access to international financial markets.
Currency Exchange Houses Sanctioned
The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on three Iran-based currency exchange firms and their associated leadership:
- Mohammad Darbani and Partners
- Lavasani and Partners
- Mohsen Khandan and Partners
The sanctions also extend to the firms’ managing partners and affiliated front companies.
According to the administration, these entities allegedly enabled Iran to obtain foreign currency and conduct international financial transactions despite existing U.S. sanctions.
Administration Cites Maximum Pressure Campaign
The White House said the latest designations are part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Iran.
Administration officials said they will continue targeting individuals, businesses and financial institutions—including foreign entities—that facilitate illicit Iranian commerce or assist the regime in evading U.S. sanctions.
The administration maintains that the sanctions are intended to pressure Iran to end what it describes as destabilizing activities in the region and to hold accountable those who enable corruption within the Iranian government.
Authorities Used for Sanctions
The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive authorities, including:
- Executive Order 13902, targeting Iran’s financial and petroleum sectors.
- Executive Order 13876, focusing on Iran’s Supreme Leader and affiliated individuals.
- Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, which provides counterterrorism sanctions authority.
Treasury officials said the latest designations build upon previous actions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran’s shadow banking system and currency exchange networks.
World
U.S., CARICOM IMPACS Sign Landmark Biometrics Data-Sharing Agreement to Strengthen Border Security
Published
14 hours agoon
July 10, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) signed a Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership (BDSP) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Friday, establishing a new framework for sharing biometric information to strengthen border security and immigration screening.
The agreement was signed July 10 at the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington, D.C.
Strengthening National and Regional Security
According to DHS, the agreement enhances U.S. national security by enabling biometric information sharing between the United States and CARICOM member states that operate Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.
Officials said the partnership will improve the ability of both the United States and participating Caribbean nations to identify potential security threats before individuals enter the United States.
The agreement is also intended to help prevent individuals from exploiting Citizenship by Investment programs to evade immigration or law enforcement screening, addressing what officials described as a critical gap in Western Hemisphere security.
Supporting Immigration Integrity
The memorandum also reflects Caribbean governments’ commitment to strengthening immigration integrity and aligning border security practices with U.S. standards.
DHS said the partnership reinforces regional cooperation on identity verification, information sharing and security screening while supporting lawful travel and international security efforts.
Senior Officials Attend Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- White House Homeland Security Council
- U.S. Department of State
- CARICOM IMPACS
Diplomatic representatives from the following Caribbean nations also participated:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
These countries currently operate Citizenship by Investment programs that provide foreign nationals a pathway to citizenship through qualifying investments.
Regional Security Cooperation Expands
The Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership represents one of the most significant security cooperation agreements between the United States and CARICOM member states in recent years.
Officials said the framework will strengthen information sharing, improve border security, support immigration integrity and enhance efforts to identify individuals who may pose security risks before they travel to the United States.
World
CARICOM Leaders Unveil Regional Measures to Combat Rising Cost of Living
Published
14 hours agoon
July 10, 2026
GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia (FNN NEWS) — Caribbean leaders agreed on a series of regional and national measures aimed at easing the rising cost of living during the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held July 5–8 in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Meeting under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” Heads of Government focused on policies designed to reduce the financial burden on households as geopolitical tensions continue to drive up global prices for fuel, transportation and essential goods.
People-First Agenda
Speaking at the closing news conference, CARICOM Chairman and Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said leaders centered their discussions on improving the daily lives of Caribbean citizens.
“Our discussions over the past four days were guided by one central objective—ensuring that CARICOM delivers results that people can see and feel in their everyday lives,” Pierre said.
He said member states agreed to strengthen regional cooperation to:
- Protect consumers
- Improve affordability
- Provide additional relief for vulnerable households
- Address rising prices across the Caribbean Community
Pierre acknowledged that every CARICOM nation is experiencing higher living costs, largely fueled by global increases in energy prices.
“There is one factor we have no control over, which is the price of fuel,” he said.
Saint Lucia has responded by removing the value-added tax (VAT) on selected essential goods.
Regional Solutions to Lower Costs
CARICOM leaders outlined several initiatives intended to reduce costs across the region, including:
- Reducing taxes on imported fuel
- Lowering freight and shipping costs
- Expanding renewable energy investments
- Reducing intra-regional cargo transportation expenses
- Accelerating the launch of a regional ferry service
Leaders said improving transportation and energy infrastructure is critical to making goods and services more affordable throughout the Caribbean.
Barbados Expands Financial Relief
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley highlighted several national initiatives already underway, including:
- A cost-of-living allowance for pensioners
- A 30% increase in welfare payments
- Consumer price comparison technology allowing shoppers to compare prices among retailers
Mottley also identified the proposed regional ferry service as one of CARICOM’s most significant economic initiatives.
The ferry system would reduce shipping costs by improving cargo movement among Caribbean nations while strengthening regional trade.
Officials plan to use a Trinidad and Tobago ferry as a proof of concept while private-sector operators acquire additional vessels. Regulatory work is expected to be completed within three months, while procurement of permanent vessels could take up to one year.
Mottley also announced efforts to establish agreements covering:
- Mutual recognition of licenses
- Insurance standards
- Port infrastructure improvements
- Cross-border movement of cargo vehicles
Healthcare Collaboration to Reduce Costs
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar proposed expanding regional healthcare cooperation as another way to reduce living expenses.
She offered CARICOM members access to Trinidad and Tobago’s:
- National prosthetic center
- Specialized children’s hospital
- Medical professionals and specialists
“If we partner together, we can bring down the cost of living,” Persad-Bissessar said.
Renewable Energy a Long-Term Priority
Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, emphasized that energy remains one of the region’s greatest economic challenges.
He called for accelerated investments in:
- Solar energy
- Wind power
- Geothermal energy
- Wave energy
Drew said greater energy independence would help stabilize electricity costs, strengthen Caribbean economies and provide long-term relief for consumers.
“Renewable energy can really help transform the Caribbean and help us manage the cost of living for all of our people,” he said.
Looking Ahead
CARICOM leaders concluded the summit by reaffirming their commitment to expanding regional cooperation to improve affordability, strengthen consumer protections and increase economic resilience across the Caribbean.
Officials said the planned ferry network, renewable energy investments and coordinated economic policies are expected to play key roles in reducing costs for Caribbean families while promoting long-term regional growth.
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