Category: CANA News

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday sanctioned Dimitri Herard for his support of the Haitian gang coalition, Viv Ansanm, and designated Kempes Sanon, leader of the Bel Air gang, one of the constituent gangs in the alliance.

OFAC said Viv Ansanm contributes to the violence and instability within Haiti.

‘Today’s action underscores the critical role of gang leaders and facilitators like Herard and Sanon, whose support enables Viv Ansanm’s campaign of violence, extortion, and terrorism in Haiti,’ said Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control Bradley T. Smith. ‘The United States is committed to holding accountable the violent terrorist gangs that endanger the Haitian people.’

OFAC noted that Viv Ansanm was designated by the US Department of State as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and Foreign Terrorist Organisation on May 2, 2025.

OFAC said it was taking Friday’s action pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who aid acts of terrorism.

OFAC said Herard is a former Haitian police officer who was connected to, and later imprisoned by Haitian authorities for, the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

Since his escape from prison in 2024, OFAC said Herard has colluded with the Viv Ansanm alliance and provided support to many of the gang leaders with training and firearms.

‘Herard’s support directly backs the Viv Ansanm’s coordinated attacks against State institutions,’ OFAC said.

It said Sanon is the leader of the Bel Air gang, one of the constituent gangs in the Viv Ansanm alliance, and has played a ‘significant role in the consolidation of power of Viv Ansanm.’

OFAC said Sanon and his gang have been involved in ‘indiscriminate civilian killings, extortion, illicit taxation, and kidnappings in Haiti.’

Herard and Sanon are being sanctioned pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having ‘materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of Viv Ansanm, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended,’ OFAC said.

As a result of Friday’s action, OFAC said all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.

In addition, OFAC said any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 per cent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.

Unless authorised by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC said its regulations generally prohibit all transactions by US persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.

OFAC said violations of US sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on US and foreign persons.

OFAC also said it may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis.

In addition, OFAC said financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons.

It said the prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

Furthermore, OFAC warned that engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated on Friday may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions.

OFAC said it can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that ‘knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.’

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday that renews sanctions in Haiti for another year as armed gangs continue to terrorise the population.

The UN said the sanctions regime was established in 2022 and includes a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo.

Panama and the United States drafted the resolution, which also renews the mandate of the panel of experts that supports the sanctions committee, the UN said.

It said the resolution came just weeks after the Council authorised a Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti to replace the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) that had been backing the national police in their efforts to combat the violence.

‘These measures will restore security in Haiti and bring gangs to their knees,’ the US representative said.

The UN said Resolution 2794 (2025) expresses grave concern over ‘the extremely high levels of gang violence and other criminal activities,’ such as kidnappings, homicides, trafficking in persons, homicides, and sexual violence, as well as ongoing impunity.

In an annexe, the UN said the Council also designated two people who have ‘engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Haiti.’

The UN said Dimitri Herard, former head of assassinated ex-President Jovenel Moïse’s security unit, has supported the Ti Bwa gang in addition to being implicated ‘in facilitating the trafficking of arms and ammunition, which have fueled gang violence and destabilised the country.’

The UN also said Kempes Sanon is the leader of the Bel Air gang, which ‘has been involved in systematic human rights violations, including extortion, kidnappings, and illicit taxation.’

The US representative said their designation complements action taken by Washington earlier that day regarding the two men.

‘While we applaud the Council for designating these individuals, the list is not complete,’ the UN representative said. ‘There are more enablers of Haiti’s insecurity evading accountability.’

Panama’s representative said effective implementation of the arms embargo is crucial in efforts ‘to once and for all remove the fuel that is firing this conflict.’

He added that ‘there is a symbiotic relationship between certain economic and political elite sectors and the gangs’.

With regard to the annexe, the Panama representative regretted that ‘there hasn’t been consensus to include people who meet the criteria of those that are causing so much damage to Haitian society.’

He expressed hope that the sanctions renewal, along with other efforts by the UN Support Office in Haiti and the GSF, ‘will enable us to bring about a Haiti free of weapons, safer and in peace’.

The representative of Haiti said the sanctions regime can be ‘an effective instrument of deterrence and of justice, if it is properly applied and respected by all Member States’.

It serves as ‘a complementary pillar’ to the Multinational Security Support Mission, which was recently transformed into the GSF,’ the Haitian representative said.

He said that, so far, the results of efforts to quell the violence have been mixed as gangs continue to be provided with heavy weapons and ammunition coming from abroad.

The Haitian representative further stated that the Haitian Government has noted the names of the individuals in the annexe, stating that their cases will be handled in accordance with national law.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field against Bangladesh in the opening One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

WEST INDIES: Shai Hope (captain), Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.

BANGLADESH: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

Umpires: Gazi Sohel, Jayaraman Madanagopal.

TV Umpire: Chris Gaffaney.

Reserve Umpire: Tanvir Ahmed.

Match Referee: Dean Cosker.

More than 140 creative submissions have been received from Antiguans and Barbudans at home and abroad for the CHOGM 2026 Logo Design Competition, marking an impressive show of national pride and talent.

The competition, launched in September by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, invited nationals to design the official logo for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 – a historic event that Antigua and Barbuda will host for the first time.

The strong participation from the diaspora highlights the shared excitement and unity of Antiguans and Barbudans as the nation gears up to welcome global leaders next year. Each entry captured the spirit, identity, and vibrancy of Antigua and Barbuda, showcasing the creativity that defines the nation’s people.

‘The response has been phenomenal,’ said H.E Dr Clarence Pilgrim, Chair of the CHOGM 2026 Taskforce. ‘It’s clear that Antiguans and Barbudans, wherever they are in the world, want to play a part in shaping how our nation is represented on the global stage.’

A winner will be announced as part of the official launch of CHOGM 2026 scheduled for 4th November 2026, following the judges’ review process. The selected design will become the official global logo of CHOGM 2026, featured across event branding, signage, and international communications. The winner will also receive a grand prize of EC$5,000 and national recognition during CHOGM 2026.

The Government extends heartfelt thanks to all who participated and celebrates the exceptional talent displayed by Antiguans and Barbudans around the world.

Scoreboard of the opening One Day International between Bangladesh and the West Indies here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

BANGLADESH

Saif Hassan lbw b Shepherd 3

Soumya Sarkar c Chase b Seales 4

Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw b Pierre 32

Towhid Hridoy c +Hope b Greaves 51

Mahidul Islam Ankon b Chase 46

*Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Greaves b Chase 17

+Nurul Hasan c Pierre b Greaves 9

Rishad Hossain b Seales 26

Tanvir Islam not out 9

Taskin Ahmed c Athanaze b Seales 0

Mustafizur Rahman run out 1

Extras (lb3, w6) 9

TOTAL (all out; 49.4 overs) 207

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-8, 3-79, 4-115, 5-158, 6-165, 7-182, 8-198, 9-198, 10-207.

Bowling: Seales 7-0-48-3, Shepherd 7.4-1-31-1, Pierre 10-2-19-1, Chase 10-0-30-2, Motie 10-0-44-0, Greaves 5-0-32-2.

WEST INDIES

Brandon King c +Hasan b Hossain 44

Alick Athanaze lbw b Hossain 27

Keacy Carty c Hassan b Hossain 9

*+Shai Hope c +Hasan b Islam 15

Sherfane Rutherford c +Hasan b Hossain 0

Roston Chase c +Hasan b Hossain 6

Gudakesh Motie lbw b Miraz 3

Justin Greaves c Hassan b Rahman 12

Romario Shepherd c Miraz b Rahman 1

Khary Pierre not out 7

Jayden Seales c Miraz b Hossain 3

Extras (lb3, w3) 6

TOTAL (all out; 39 overs) 133

Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-79, 3-82, 4-82, 5-92, 6-100, 7-118, 8-121, 9-122, 10-133.

Bowling: Ahmed 2-1-10-0, Islam 10-1-46-1, Rahman 5-0-16-2, Miraz 10-3-16-1, Hossain 9-0-35-6, Hassan 3-0-7-0.

Toss: West Indies elected to field after winning the toss.

Result: Bangladesh won by 74 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Player-of-the-Match: Rishad Hossain.

Umpires: Gazi Sohel, Jayaraman Madanagopal.

TV Umpire: Chris Gaffaney.

Reserve Umpire: Tanvir Ahmed.

Match Referee: Dean Cosker.

Trinidad and Tobago stood apart from its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) neighbours, declining to back a regional position on key security and regional stability issues, including the growing presence of the US military in the region.

According to a statement issued by CARICOM on Saturday, Heads of Government met to discuss several issues on the regional agenda, including the security build-up in parts of the Caribbean and its potential impact on member states. The position at that meeting was not endorsed by the government of the twin-island republic.

The meeting follows a series of deadly strikes by the Donald Trump administration targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast, the latest of which reportedly claimed the lives of two Trinidad and Tobago nationals.

‘Save in respect of Trinidad and Tobago who reserved its position, Heads agreed on the following: They reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace and the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict.

‘CARICOM remains willing to assist towards that objective,’ the CARICOM statement read.

The regional leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to tackling narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which continue to pose major threats to regional stability. They stressed that such challenges must be addressed through ongoing international cooperation and in keeping with international law.

Additionally, CARICOM Heads reiterated their continued commitment to fighting narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which adversely affect the region.

They further underscored that efforts to overcome these challenges should be through ongoing international cooperation and within international law.

No reason was immediately given for Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to reserve its position on these matters.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has not commented on the latest development, or the deaths of the two Trinidadians in the US strike.

In a brief statement on Saturday, Opposition MP Stuart Young, a former National Security Minister, joined calls for Persad-Bissessar to speak to citizens on the latter issue, accusing her of being ‘in hiding’.

‘Like many citizens, I have been waiting on the Prime Minister, as head of the Cabinet and Chair of the National Security Council, to address us. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has been in hiding for days now and not addressing the growing concerns of uncertainty.

‘It is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to address the nation immediately and provide the population with information and reassurance. Do your job, Madame Prime Minister,’ Young said.

Persad-Bissessar has publicly praised the US campaign, saying she was happy that the US naval deployment ‘is having success in its mission’.

‘The slaughter of our people is fuelled by evil cartel traffickers. The pain and suffering the cartels have inflicted on our nation is immense. I have no sympathy for traffickers; the US military should kill them all violently,’ she said in a statement on September 2 after one of the strikes killed all 11 people on board.

‘May God bless and protect the members of the US military who are engaged in the drug interdiction mission. Their efforts will save many lives in our country and the region,’ the Prime Minister added.

Caribbean nations continue to grapple with deep inequalities and rising climate risks, according to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2025 released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

The report, titled ‘Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards’, paints a stark picture of how poverty and climate change are converging across the developing world.

It reveals that 23.5 per cent of people in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – about 13.6 million people – live in multidimensional poverty, which accounts not only for income but also for access to education, health, housing, sanitation, and energy.

While some Caribbean countries have made progress, the region remains sharply divided. Haiti continues to record some of the highest poverty levels globally, with more than 40 per cent of its population considered multidimensionally poor. Basic deprivations such as access to clean cooking fuel, safe drinking water, sanitation, and adequate housing remain widespread.

By contrast, countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba have recorded less than one per cent of their populations living in multidimensional poverty, reflecting strong social protection systems and near-universal access to basic services.

In Guyana, the report found a relatively low national poverty rate of 1.8 per cent, but with sharp regional disparities-ranging from as little as 0.1 per cent to as high as 23 per cent depending on the region.

Across the Caribbean and other island states, the most common deprivations include lack of clean cooking fuel, poor sanitation, substandard housing, and unreliable electricity. The report estimates that 11.5 million poor people in SIDS are affedte by lack of electricity, with the majority in Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Guinea-Bissau, and Vanuatu.

The UNDP warns that climate change is worsening these vulnerabilities. Sea-level rise poses an existential threat to low-lying coastal communities, with projections showing that under a very high emissions scenario, ocean levels could rise by as much as 70 centimetres by 2080-2099 in islands such as Belize.

The report noted that SIDS face a double burden of poverty and climate change, noting that many poor households are already contending with floods, droughts, and high heat, alongside economic and social deprivation.

Globally, the MPI finds that 1.1 billion people, or 18.3 per cent of the population in 109 countries, live in acute poverty. Nearly 28 per cent of children are poor, compared to 13.5 per cent of adults.

UNDP calls for urgent, integrated policies that link poverty reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development, particularly for island states on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

‘Responding to overlapping risks requires prioritising both people and the planet,’ the report urges. ‘Aligning poverty reduction, climate mitigation and adaptation, and ecosystem restoration makes it possible for resilient communities to emerge and thrive, with no one left behind, especially on the front lines of a warming world.’

Bangladesh were bowled out for 207 in 49.4 overs after being sent in by the West Indies in the opening One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

BANGLADESH 207 in 49.4 overs (Towhid Hridoy 51, Mahidul Islam Ankon 46, Najmul Hossain Shanto 32, Rishad Hossain 26, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 17; Jayden Seales 3-48, Roston Chase 2-30, Justin Greaves 2-32).

Bangladesh defeated West Indies by 74 runs in the opening One Day International here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

Scores

BANGLADESH 207 in 49.4 overs (Towhid Hridoy 51, Mahidul Islam Ankon 46, Najmul Hossain Shanto 32, Rishad Hossain 26, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 17; Jayden Seales 3-48, Roston Chase 2-30, Justin Greaves 2-32).

WEST INDIES 133 in 39 overs (Brandon King 44, Alick Athanaze 27, Shai Hope 15, Justin Greaves 12; Rishad Hossain 6-35, Mustafizur Rahman 2-16).

The US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has put Americans on alert, telling them to avoid visiting US facilities in the twin-island republic during this Divali weekend.

‘Due to a heightened state of alert, please avoid and refrain from visiting all US government facilities in Trinidad and Tobago through the holiday weekend,’ it stated in a security alert on Saturday.

US nationals have also been advised to be aware of their surroundings, monitor reputable news outlets and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.