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USA announced this Friday sanctions against the president of the Senate of Haiti, Joseph Lambertand former senator Youri Latortue, whom he accuses of having “actively contributed” to drug trafficking that passes through that Caribbean country.
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According to him Treasury DepartmentLambert, who ran for president last year, and latortueone of his predecessors in office and cousin of former Prime Minister Gérard Latortue, “They have abused their official positions to traffic drugs and collaborated with criminal networks and gangs to undermine the rule of law in Haiti.”
In another statement, the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenclaims that Lambert is implicated in “a significant corruption and a serious violation of human rights.”
Blinken He said that there is also evidence that Lambert is behind an extrajudicial execution.
The Department of Statewhich also blacklisted Lambert’s wife, Jesula Lambert Domondprohibits them from entering US territory.
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The Canadian government, which has a large Haitian community, announced that it will join the US sanctions by taking similar steps.
The announcements come at a time when the international community is trying to help the Haitian government restore order and regain control of port facilities after an increase in gang violence.
Since mid-September, armed gangs have brought Haiti to a virtual standstill, blockading even the country’s most important oil terminal, causing fuel and drinking water shortages.
The UN discusses the possibility of sending an international armed force to restore calm, following a request from the Haitian government.
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John Kirby, spokesman for White House National Security Councilsaid Friday that a multinational force for Haiti was under discussion.
“We are actively engaged in discussions with a variety of partners about what a force could look like.”said.
“No decision has been made about the participation of any Condition in particular”, indicated, adding that the force would be limited to “supply of humanitarian assistance”.
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drug trafficking history
A Lambert and Latortue they are accused of having ties to the gangs.
In a classified 2006 US diplomatic memo leaked in 2010 by wikileaks it was stated that Latortue could be “the most corrupt of the main Haitian politicians”.
The Treasury assures that Lambert and Latortue have a long history of drug trafficking.
Both would be involved in cocaine trafficking from Colombia and Haitiwhile they would have protected other traffickers and ordered their followers to carry out violent acts on their behalf.
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“The United States and our international partners will continue to take action against those who facilitate drug trafficking, enable corruption, and seek to profit from the instability in Haiti,” says Treasury Undersecretary brian nelsonit’s a statement.
On your side, kirby said that the US authorities “They are willing to take additional action, as appropriate, against other bad actors.”
Through the sanctions Treasury Department hopes to seize any assets the two politicians have under US jurisdiction and prevent any individual or entity in USAincluding international banks, do business with them.
Source: Elcomercio
I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.
