Gran Grif
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Territory | Artibonite, Haiti |
| Ethnicity | Haitian |
| Leader | Prophane Victor |
| Activities | Massacres, violence, kidnapping, extortion, sexual violence, arms trafficking, forced recruitment |
| Allies |
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| Rivals |
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| Haitian conflict |
|---|
| Background |
| Battles |
| Attacks |
Gran Grif is the largest and most powerful criminal organization in the Artibonite department of Haiti. Based in Savien, in the commune of Petite-Rivière-de-l'Artibonite, they are notorious for its violent abuses against the civilian population.[1]
In 2022, Gran Grif was found responsible for 80% of reported civilian deaths in Artibonite. The group systematically practices murder, rape, mass abduction and the forced recruitment of children, making them one of Haiti's cruelest gangs.[2][3]
History
[edit]Gran Grif was founded around 2016 by former congressman Prophane Victor to consolidate his electoral influence in the region. It was initially created as a local force to secure its founder's political power in the Petite-Rivière-de-l'Artibonite area. Under the leadership of Luckson Élan, the gang became the most powerful criminal organization in the department, engaging in massacres, kidnappings, and sexual violence. Both Victor and Élan have also been sanctioned by the United States in September 2024 and by the United Nations Security Council.[4][5]
Between October 2023 and January 2024, nine mass kidnappings were attributed to Gran Grif.[4] On 3 October 2024, the gang perpetrated the 2024 Pont-Sondé attack,[4] which left at least 115 people dead and at least 50 injured.[6][7] On 29 April 2025, Gran Grif launched an attack on Petite-Rivière-de-l'Artibonite.[8]
Designation as a terrorist organization
[edit]On 27 February 2025, the Dominican Republic designated Gran Grif as a terrorist organization, followed by the United States on 2 May.[9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ à 18h22, Par Le Parisien avec AFP Le 4 octobre 2024 (4 October 2024). "Haïti : le gang « Gran Grif » a massacré au moins 70 personnes, dont femmes et enfants, dénonce l'ONU". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Haiti, U. S. Embassy (2 May 2025). "Désignation de Viv Ansanm et de Gran Grif". Ambassade des Etats-Unis en Haïti (in French). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "This week's gang attack on a Haitian town killed at least 70 people, UN says". Associated Press. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Luxama, Pierre-Richard; Coto, Dánica (7 October 2024). "Thousands survived a brutal gang attack in Haiti that killed 70. Now they face an uncertain future". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "At least 70 killed in gang attack on Haitian town, UN says". France 24. Associated Press. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Sanon, Evens; Luxama, Pierre-Richard (9 October 2024). "The death toll in a gang attack on a small Haitian town rises to at least 115, a local official says". Associated Press. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Corp, Rob (4 October 2024). "Children among 70 killed in Haiti gang 'massacre'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Two people killed, at least 10 wounded by gangs in Haiti's Petite-Rivière-de-l'Artibonite". 29 April 2025.
- ^ "Presidente Abinader declara como organizaciones terroristas a las bandas criminales haitianas y ordena la activación del Consejo Nacional Antiterrorista y la Dirección Nacional Antiterrorist". 27 February 2025.
- ^ "US designates two powerful Haitian gangs as terrorist groups". The Guardian. 2 May 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 May 2025.