Canada imposes sanctions on former Haitian ministers
2022.12.20 08:05
Canada imposes sanctions on former Haitian ministers
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – The most recent in a series of sanctions against Haitian politicians and business leaders, Canada will impose new sanctions on two former Haiti government ministers who are accused of protecting criminal gangs and engaging in corruption. Ottawa announced this decision on Tuesday.
Melanie Joly, the Canadian minister of foreign affairs, stated in a written statement that the sanctions on Berto Dorce and Liszt Quitel, who resigned from their positions in the Haitian government in November, freeze any assets they may have in Canada.
When American and Canadian missionaries were kidnapped by gangs in 2021 and brought to the attention of the world, Quitel was justice minister and interior minister in Haiti.
Dorce came under scrutiny in July when an aide of his was implicated in weapons trafficking, a major issue for Haiti given the power of gangs. Dorce went on to become justice minister.
In response to a gang blockade of a fuel terminal that lasted nearly six weeks, members of the United States Congress in September called for sanctions against politicians and oligarchs who finance Haitian gangs.
However, Canada has taken the lead in sanctioning Haitians accused of having gang ties since then, naming a former president, two former prime ministers, and three prominent entrepreneurs.
Joly stated, “To help the people of Haiti emerge from this crisis and restore peace and security in their country, Canada is increasing its pressure by imposing corruption sanctions against Haitian elites.”
“Defilement sanctions not just freeze any resources gangsters and their allies might hold in Canada, however they additionally keep them from coming into our country,” she said.
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According to the Canadian government, Dorce and Quitel are accused of using money laundering and other forms of corruption to “protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs.”
