On November 4, 2022, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury designated two Haitian men pursuant to Executive Order 14059 for their involvement in drug trafficking and undermining the rule of law in Haiti. One of the men, Joseph Lambert, is a long-time politician and currently the president of the Haitian Senate. The second individual, Youri Latortue, is a former Haitian senator who has also been involved in Haitian politics for many years.
According to OFAC, both Lambert and Latortue have facilitated the trafficking of cocaine from Colombia, directed others to commit acts of violence, and have materially contributed to the international proliferation of illegal drugs and their production.
As a result of these designations, all property and interests in property of Lambert and Latortue within the United States or within the possession or control of a US person are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving the designated persons.
The US action was coordinated with the government of Canada, which designated Lambert and Latortue pursuant to the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations.