WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott joined colleagues to announce the introduction of the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill that requires the Department of State to investigate and report on the relationship between criminal gangs and political and economic conditions in Haiti to hold gang leaders and those who enable them fully accountable for the violence in the region. This bill was previously led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and comes as the Trump administration moves to designate Haitian gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as terrorist organizations.

Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, John Curtis, and Tim Kaine are cosponsors.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The people of Haiti have suffered for too long at the hands of violent gangs and corrupt elites who put their own power over their people. This bill will shine a light on the collusion between criminals and those in power, makes clear that the United States will not stand for this violence and prioritizes our national security interests in the region. I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort and look forward to its passage as the Trump administration advances peace through strength around the globe.”

Senator Jeanne Shaheen said, “This bipartisan bill is a meaningful and logical next step towards addressing and preventing criminal collusion and violence in Haiti. The ongoing gang-violence has displaced more than a million Haitians—including women and children, creating a dire humanitarian catastrophe mere hundreds of miles from U.S. shores. The measures laid out in the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act will ensure the U.S. is properly equipped to protect our national security interests and ensure stability and security in the region.” 

Senator Chris Coons said, “Americans are safer and more prosperous when Haiti is stable and secure. The criminal gangs and their enablers acting with impunity and terrorizing civilians throughout the island are endangering the Haitian people and destabilizing a country in our own backyard. The Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act will help bring them to account, making both Haiti and the United States more secure.”

Senator John Curtis said, “Haiti’s deteriorating security situation threatens America’s national interests in the region. By mandating targeted, strategic sanctions on Haitian political and economic elites who are colluding with criminal gangs, our bipartisan legislation will help address a growing humanitarian, economic, and national security crisis.”

Senator Tim Kaine said, “The widespread violence perpetrated by criminal gangs in Haiti has internally displaced over one million Haitians and created a dire humanitarian crisis. This bill would help address the deteriorating conditions in Haiti by sanctioning Haitian gangs and other individuals with ties to them, and require a comprehensive analysis regarding how this crisis impacts our security and the stability of the region.”

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