US and Canada Slam Haiti Corruption and Drug Trade: Targeting Senator Rony Celestin and Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand

Crackdown on Corruption and Drug Trafficking in Haiti

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken a bold step to combat corruption and drug trafficking in Haiti by designating Haitian senator Rony Celestin and former senator Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand. This move is made under Executive Order 14059, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade.

Allegations against Senator Rony Celestin

Senator Rony Celestin was accused of engaging in international drug trafficking activities, using his political position to orchestrate the importation of drugs from Venezuela into Haiti and their exportation to the United States and The Bahamas. This is a significant concern for US authorities, as it undermines efforts to combat drug trafficking and promotes corruption.

Allegations against Former Senator Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand

Former senator Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand was alleged to use his own aircraft to transport drugs through southern Haiti, attempting to install persons in government positions who would facilitate his drug trafficking activities. This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the US government.

Implications of the Designations

The designations have significant implications for those involved:

• All property and interests in property held by the designated individuals within the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked.
• Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also subject to sanctions.
• Individuals who engage in transactions with the designated individuals may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to enforcement action.

Whole-of-Government Effort

This move is part of a whole-OFAC effort to counter the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States, which causes tens of thousands of American deaths annually. The US Department of the Treasury will continue to target and pursue accountability for foreign illicit drug actors, aiming to bring about positive change in behavior through sanctions.

Conclusion

The designation of Senator Rony Celestin and former senator Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand is a significant step forward in the fight against corruption and drug trafficking in Haiti. The US government will continue to work tirelessly to combat these threats and promote accountability for those involved.