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The United States has announced visa restrictions on a top Haitian official over accusations of supporting criminal gangs that are destroying the country.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, Haiti is having a really rough time as powerful gangs continue to control vast portions of the country, particularly the capital, Port-au-Prince. Shit really hit the fan in 2021 following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, which created a massive power vacuum that no legitimate government has been able to fill. In the absence of stable leadership, criminal networks have moved in and planted their roots, most notably Viv Ansanm, a brutal coalition of gangs that now wields near-total control over the capital. This alliance, which includes notorious groups like the Bel Air gang, engages in extortion, kidnappings, drug trafficking, massacres, and attacks on state institutions. They operate more like a government than street gangs, complete with territory control, armed checkpoints, and their own laws. The situation has become so dire that roughly 1.4 million people have been displaced, and thousands have been killed, as civilians are caught in the crossfire.

What’s going on now: The US slapped visa restrictions on Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of Haiti’s transitional presidential council and a prominent economist who previously led a major bank in Haiti. Jean confirmed to the Associated Press that he was the unnamed individual referenced in the State Department’s announcement, which accused a Haitian government official of supporting gangs and obstructing anti-crime efforts. The US alleges that Jean backed criminal organizations designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, undermining Haiti’s already fragile push for stability and security.

Jean has since denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated. He claims that the real reason for the sanctions is retaliation for the council’s recent moves to consider replacing Prime Minister Alix Dider Fils-Aimé. According to Jean, members of the council, including himself, received threats of visa cancellations and other sanctions from US and Canadian diplomatic representatives as soon as discussions to remove the prime minister began.

In a press conference and subsequent statement, he accused both countries of interfering in Haiti’s internal political decisions and using punitive tactics to pressure the council into maintaining the current leadership. He also presented messages he claimed were sent by foreign diplomats warning him against pursuing efforts to replace the prime minister, urging him instead to “publish the electoral decree” or face consequences.

There’s been no additional comment from the US.