Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2561 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti
Date: 2025-12-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Haiti, economic sanctions, international sanctions, legal person, natural person








L_202502561EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/2561


15.12.2025







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/2561
         
of 15 December 2025
         
amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 25 November 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 (1).












(2)


On 28 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1574 (2), which amended Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, thereby establishing a dedicated framework for targeted restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti and for actions that undermine democracy or the rule of law in Haiti, as well as against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them.












(3)


In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council stated that it remained extremely concerned about the situation in Haiti and called for new targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for violence, with the objective of helping to restore peace, security, stability, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti.












(4)


In view of the deteriorating political, economic, security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, including the results of the escalating gang violence, the unremitting serious human rights abuses committed by gangs, and the continuing impunity for the perpetrators, three individuals and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319.












(5)


Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.


Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 15 December 2025.


For the Council


The President

K. KALLAS
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 of 25 November 2022 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti (OJ L 307, 28.11.2022, p. 135, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/2319/oj).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1574 of 28 July 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti (OJ L 192, 31.7.2023, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1574/oj).




ANNEX
Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 is amended as follows:






(1)


under the heading ‘A. List of natural persons referred to in Article 2a(1) and in Article 3a(1)’, the following entries are added:









 


Name


Identifying information


Statement of reasons


Date of listing




‘7.


Michel Joseph MARTELLY
a.k.a. Sweet Micky


Function: former President of Haiti (2011-2016); former President of the CARICOM (January 2023-July 2023)


Michel Martelly, the former President of the Republic of Haiti (2011-2016), participated directly in the creation of the gang Base 257. He financed, sponsored and supported several gangs, in particular Base 257, but also Village de Dieu, Ti Bois and Grand Ravine, to defend his economic interests, advance his political agenda and control territories, notably by providing them with firearms and guns. By financing those groups, he is also responsible for the abuses they have committed and has therefore contributed financially to insecurity and instability in Haiti.
Therefore, Michel Martelly is responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti.


15.12.2025




8.


Youri LATORTUE


Function: former advisor to the President Michel Martelly (2011-2016); former President of the Senate (2017-2018); former senator of the Artibonite department; coordinator of the party “L’Ayiti an Aksyon” (AAA), previously known as “L’Artibonite en Action” (LAAA)


Youri Latortue is the founder of the political party “L’Ayiti an Aksyon” (AAA), a former senator of the Artibonite department, and a former advisor to the President Michel Martelly during his presidency (2011-2016). He also served as president of the Senate from 13 January 2017 to 9 January 2018.
Youri Latortue has armed and financed the “Raboteau” and “Kokorat San Ras” gangs, to promote his political agenda and defend his personal and economic interests, notably in the Artibonite department. Those gangs are still active today, engaging in kidnapping and racketeering, among other activities.
Therefore, Youri Latortue is indirectly responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti.


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9.


Rony CELESTIN
a.k.a. Rony APPOLON


Function: former deputy (2011-2017); former senator (2017-2023)


Rony Celestin, a former senator of Haiti, is involved in violence linked to armed groups and smuggling. He has notably been held responsible for orchestrating the murder of the journalist Néhémie Joseph, who exposed his illegal activities and corruption.
Therefore, Rony Celestin is indirectly responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti.


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(2)


under the heading ‘B. List of legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 3a(1)’, the following table and entry are added:









 


Name


Identifying information


Statement of reasons


Date of listing




‘1.


5 Segond gang


Haitian gang based in the “Village de Dieu” neighbourhood in Port-au-Prince


The 5 Segond gang is a powerful gang in Haiti, based in the Village de Dieu neighbourhood in Port-au-Prince. Its leader is Johnson André, a.k.a “Izo”. The 5 Segond gang was officially part of the G-Pèp gang alliance. In 2024, G-Pèp and its former rivals, G9 Family and Allies, formed a new coalition, Viv Ansanm, a.k.a. Living Together. Together, they increased attacks against state institutions and contributed to instability. The 5 Segond gang also commits theft, rape, kidnapping, murder, piracy, and extortion, obstructs humanitarian aid and engages in arms and drugs trafficking.
Therefore, the 5 Segond gang is responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Haiti.


15.12.2025’











ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2561/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)