U.S. sanctions high-ranking Haitian official

Presidential council member is accused of hindering fight against ‘terrorist gangs.’

- By DAnica Coto

THE U.S. imposed visa restrictions on council member Fritz Alphonse Jean.

(ODELYN JOSEPH Associated Press)

—The U.S. government imposed visa restrictions on Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, accusing him of supporting gangs and other criminal organizations in a move expected to deepen the country’s political instability.

The U.S. did not name the person it sanctioned in its announcement late Monday, but Jean confirmed it was him, telling the Associated Press on Tuesday that he rejected those accusations.

The U.S. also accused Jean of obstructing Haiti's fight against “terrorist gangs,” without details. Gangs control 90% of Haiti's capital and swaths of territory in the center of the country, where they extort businesses, kill civilians and fight for territory, using military-grade weaponry.

Haiti is due to hold elections by Feb. 7, when the nine-member council is supposed to step down. Critics have asserted that some council members are seeking to stay in power beyond that date and are looking for a new prime minister who would support those plans.