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7 Killed After Tourist Bus Collides With Truck and Erupts in Flames Near Yellowstone National Park

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Emmanuel
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HENRY’S LAKE, Idaho  — A fiery crash near Yellowstone National Park claimed seven lives Thursday evening after a tourist-filled van collided with a pickup truck on a treacherous stretch of Idaho highway, igniting a massive blaze that left bystanders scrambling to save survivors before the wreck was engulfed in flames.

Idaho State Police confirmed Friday that six passengers aboard the van and the driver of the red pickup truck were killed in the collision, which occurred just after 7:15 p.m. near Henry’s Lake State Park, roughly 16 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone. The van had been transporting 14 tourists when it crashed into the pickup on U.S. Highway 20, a route locals describe as perilous during peak travel seasons.

Eight other individuals were rushed to area hospitals via air ambulance due to the severity of their injuries. Among the survivors rescued from the inferno was a child, officials said.

Heroic witnesses pulled the eight survivors from the wreckage moments before the van was engulfed by fire. Dramatic footage from the scene shows emergency crews battling a towering inferno, with charred debris scattered across the two-lane road. Authorities closed the highway in both directions into early Friday morning to allow investigators and emergency teams to work safely.

The driver of the van, identified by police as 25-year-old Isaiah Moreno, was among those killed. According to Beijing’s state media, five of the victims were Chinese nationals. The local coroner also confirmed that Italian tourists were among the deceased, although the full list of nationalities has not yet been publicly released pending formal identification and notification of families.

Law enforcement officials have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, which has reignited concerns over safety on Highway 20—an increasingly congested route known for connecting travelers to the world-famous Yellowstone National Park.

Local resident Roger Merrill told CBS News that he witnessed flames shooting into the sky as he passed the scene on his way home. He described Highway 20 as “extremely busy” this time of year, saying the road’s narrow lanes and heavy traffic from tourists make it a notoriously dangerous route.

“It is a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone National Park,” Merrill said.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has urged drivers to avoid the area and prepare for long delays through the weekend as the investigation continues and crews work to clear debris.

The devastating crash came during an already tragic week for U.S. roadways. Earlier in the week, three children and a teenager were killed when a vehicle plowed into an after-school camp in Chatham, Illinois, injuring six others. That incident remains under investigation as authorities grapple with back-to-back highway tragedies.

Thursday’s crash near Yellowstone highlights the mounting risks faced by travelers on rural highways that have seen sharp increases in seasonal traffic and underscores renewed calls for improved safety infrastructure on major tourist routes.

 Pakistan Test-Fires Ballistic Missile Amid Escalating Tensions With India After Kashmir Massacre

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  — Pakistan launched a surface-to-surface ballistic missile Saturday as tensions with neighboring India soared following a brutal gun attack in Kashmir that left 26 Indian tourists dead last month. The missile test, seen as a pointed strategic gesture, comes amid heightened military posturing on both sides and a diplomatic breakdown that has further inflamed one of South Asia’s most volatile conflicts.

The Pakistani military announced the successful test of the Abdali Weapon System, a short-range ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 450 kilometers (approximately 280 miles) away. In a statement, the military emphasized the test was aimed at assessing the missile’s “operational readiness” and validating its advanced navigation system and improved maneuverability. The launch, which was not directed toward the Indian border, reportedly took place in either the Arabian Sea or the desert expanses of southwestern Balochistan—typical sites for such exercises.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari issued statements congratulating the defense establishment on the successful test. However, analysts and observers suggest the launch was timed not only for military preparedness but also to send a clear political signal to India amid rising hostility.

Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali underscored the symbolic value of the missile’s name—Abdali—after a historic Muslim conqueror of India. “The timing of this launch is critical in the current geopolitical context,” Ali said. “It was clearly meant to serve as a deterrent and a response to the rhetoric and actions from New Delhi following the Pahalgam massacre.”

India has squarely blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the April 22 attack in the scenic town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, where gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing individuals from 13 different Indian states. Pakistan has vehemently denied any involvement in the killings.

The fallout from the massacre has triggered a diplomatic crisis between the nuclear-armed rivals. India has suspended all mail exchanges via air and land routes, banned the import of goods from Pakistan, and blocked access to its ports for Pakistani-flagged vessels. Indian vessels are similarly barred from docking in Pakistan.

In response to what it called “unprovoked firing,” the Indian military said Pakistani troops have opened fire across the Line of Control—the heavily militarized de facto border dividing Kashmir—for nine consecutive nights. India claimed its forces “responded promptly and proportionately.” Pakistan has not confirmed the reports, and independent verification remains difficult as both sides frequently trade accusations of initiating cross-border skirmishes.

The border tensions were further inflamed as large crowds gathered on the Pakistani side of the Wagah border on Saturday for the ritual flag-lowering ceremony—a dramatic display of nationalism and military precision performed daily by both nations’ forces. Among the spectators was Shoaib-ur-Rehman, who described the experience as deeply moving. “No other experience stirs such patriotism in me,” he said. While voicing opposition to war, he added, “I would stand with our army if one broke out.”

Sundas Batool, another attendee, dismissed India’s accusations, demanding concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam massacre. “The other side must have seen our energy, our spirit,” she said. “My message to India is: We are ready for anything.”

Meanwhile, India’s navy recently announced it had conducted anti-ship missile tests to validate its long-range strike capabilities, a move seen as further demonstration of military preparedness in light of the regional tensions.

Ashok Malik, a former policy advisor to India’s foreign ministry, said the country is simmering with anger over the attack. “There is enormous sympathy for India internationally, and very little patience left for Pakistan,” he said. “Nobody wants a full-fledged war, but there is growing domestic pressure for a sharp and limited response.”

Kashmir, a mountainous region claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but controlled in parts by each, has long been a flashpoint for conflict. The two countries have fought three wars since independence from British rule in 1947—two of them over Kashmir. The region remains one of the most dangerous nuclear flashpoints in the world, and with diplomatic ties severed and cross-border hostilities escalating, the risk of miscalculation is ever-present.

Russian Drone Strike Injures Nearly 50 in Kharkiv Amid Ceasefire Controversy

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KYIV, Ukraine  — A wave of Russian drone strikes tore through the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv late Friday, injuring nearly 50 civilians—including an 11-year-old child—and igniting fires in residential areas just hours ahead of Moscow’s proposed ceasefire, Ukrainian officials reported.

Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov described the overnight assault as a “massive attack” in a Telegram post, stating that drones struck four districts across the city. The barrage triggered multiple fires and caused significant destruction to homes, buildings, and vehicles.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that 12 separate impact zones were recorded across the four districts. Emergency services and firefighters scrambled overnight to extinguish flames, while medical crews tended to dozens of injured residents. As of Saturday morning, eight people remained hospitalized in moderate condition.

The attack came shortly before Russia’s self-declared three-day ceasefire tied to its annual Victory Day celebrations marking the end of World War II. However, Ukraine’s leadership dismissed the ceasefire as disingenuous, arguing that continued assaults prove it to be little more than a propaganda gesture.

“Russia attacks when people are in their homes, putting their children to bed,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday in a statement condemning the strikes. “These drones didn’t target military sites—they hit homes.”

Just hours before the Kharkiv strikes, Russian forces also launched a drone attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, injuring 29 people. And earlier this week, a similar assault on Kharkiv left 45 wounded—including two children—while a separate strike in Dnipro killed one civilian.

Zelenskyy called for heightened international pressure on Moscow, criticizing the global response as insufficient and demanding concrete sanctions instead of verbal condemnation.

“Russian drones continue flying over Ukrainian skies all morning,” he wrote on Telegram. “And this happens every single day. That’s why pressure on Russia is needed—strong, additional sanctions that actually work. Not just words or attempts at persuasion—only pressure can force Russia to agree to a ceasefire and end the war.”

Meanwhile, in Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov signaled that Russia remains reluctant to embrace any U.S.-brokered peace initiatives without conditions. Speaking Wednesday, Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was open to the idea of a ceasefire but insisted that “a whole series of nuances” must be resolved before any agreement could be reached, according to the state-run Tass news agency.

As Ukraine endures its third year under relentless Russian bombardment, civilian casualties from drone and missile strikes continue to mount, even as diplomatic channels struggle to produce lasting solutions. The Ukrainian government remains adamant that only firm and escalating international action can compel Russia to halt its campaign.

Trump and White House Post Apparent AI Image of Himself in Pope’s Attire

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WASHINGTON — The White House ignited a storm of social media reactions Friday after it posted an image depicting President Donald Trump dressed as the pope, days after the president joked he would like to lead the Roman Catholic Church following Pope Francis’ death.

The digitally altered image shows Trump seated, wearing papal white garments, a mitre atop his head, and a large crucifix necklace. His right index finger is pointed upward in a gesture commonly associated with religious instruction or authority. The image appeared not only on the official White House account on X, formerly known as Twitter, but was also shared by Trump on his Truth Social and Instagram accounts.

The post followed Trump’s off-the-cuff remark to reporters earlier this week, in which he quipped, “That would be my number one choice,” when asked about his future plans. The comment came just days after the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, following complications from a stroke and heart failure. Trump later attended the pontiff’s funeral in Vatican City, where world leaders gathered to pay their respects.

The image’s publication triggered an avalanche of responses, ranging from harsh criticism to amusement. The account “Republicans Against Trump” reposted the image with the comment, “Donald Trump just posted a photo of himself as the Pope. It’s full-on lunacy at this point.” Another user on X wrote, “I’m not American. I’m not even a Catholic. But as a human being I am beyond offended by this image, and that someone in The White House actually CHOSE to repost this. Grow up!”

Still, others online reacted with humor. One post read, “Trump!! 😂 Wicked,” capturing the surreal nature of the image as it quickly spread across social media platforms.

The Vatican has made no public comment on the image or Trump’s remark. The process to elect the next head of the Catholic Church is set to begin on May 7 in a conclave held behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel, where 135 cardinals will vote on the next pontiff.

The White House has not issued a formal statement clarifying why the image was shared, nor whether it was intended as satire, tribute, or political messaging. Critics have called the post tone-deaf, especially in the immediate aftermath of a religious leader’s death, while supporters view it as another example of Trump’s irreverent persona and ongoing dominance of political discourse.

The image’s release underscores Trump’s continued embrace of provocative political theater, blending digital memes, religious symbolism, and viral media strategy even amid solemn global events.

MS-13 Members Stab 3 Corrections Officers in Gang-Driven Assault at Virginia Prison, Officials Say

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WALLENS RIDGE, Va.  — Three corrections officers were stabbed in a coordinated and violent attack Friday at Wallens Ridge State Prison, a maximum-security facility in western Virginia, according to state officials. The assault, which the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) labeled “premeditated,” involved inmates tied to the notorious MS-13 gang and left a total of five officers injured.

The incident unfolded when six inmates, including five identified by officials as MS-13 gang members from El Salvador, ambushed corrections personnel inside the prison. According to the DOC, all five foreign nationals are in the United States illegally and have been convicted of violent crimes ranging from aggravated murder to rape. The sixth assailant is reportedly a confirmed member of the Sureño 13 gang, a U.S.-based criminal group, serving time for second-degree murder.

Three of the injured officers were released after receiving treatment, while two others remain hospitalized in stable condition. All victims were transported to external medical facilities following the assault.

Virginia DOC Director Chad Dotson condemned the attack, calling it a stark reminder of the risks correctional staff face each day.

“Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place,” Dotson said in a statement. “Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth. This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day. Our officers are heroes, and I commend the team at Wallens Ridge for their swift response.”

In an informal comment included in the release, Dotson emphasized that the safety of DOC personnel must be prioritized above all else. “Our dedicated staff deserves a Director who makes it crystal clear that the safety of our officers is our highest priority, over literally anything else we’re doing,” he said. “This will not stand.”

The attack is under active investigation by prison officials, who have not released further details pending the inquiry’s completion.

The stabbing incident has reignited concerns about gang activity within U.S. prison systems, as well as the risks posed by violent undocumented inmates. Wallens Ridge, known for housing high-risk offenders, has seen similar disturbances in recent years but rarely of this scale or level of coordination.

Authorities have not released the names of the injured officers or the inmates involved, and it remains unclear what specific events triggered the attack. However, the DOC’s assertion that the assault was premeditated raises questions about security protocols and intelligence gathering within the facility.

As investigations continue, corrections officials are under pressure to reassess safety measures for staff and address the growing influence of transnational gangs like MS-13 within U.S. correctional institutions.

 British Woman Becomes World’s Oldest Living Person at 115, Credits Her Longevity to Staying Calm and Doing What She Likes

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Emmanuel
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LONDON — Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old British woman residing in Surrey, has been officially recognized as the world’s oldest living person following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro this week.

Caterham, born on Aug. 21, 1909, in the quiet village of Shipton Bellinger in southern England, shared a simple but profound secret to her longevity: avoid conflict and do what brings joy.

“Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like,” Caterham said from her nursing home in Camberley, southwest of London, in a brief but poignant reflection on the key to her remarkable lifespan.

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG), which tracks supercentenarians—people aged 110 and older—confirmed her status as the world’s oldest person following the passing of Sister Inah at age 116.

Caterham has lived through two world wars, the reigns of five British monarchs, and more than a century of global transformation. As the second youngest of eight siblings, she grew up in a rural England untouched by the technological boom that would follow in the 20th century.

At 18, Caterham embarked on an international journey that would define her early adulthood. In 1927, she traveled to India to work as a nanny for a British family stationed there, remaining in the country for three years before returning home.

She later met her future husband, Norman Caterham, a British Army major, at a dinner party in 1931. Their life together took them across the globe, including postings in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. The couple eventually settled in the United Kingdom, where they raised two daughters. Norman died in 1976.

Staff at Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home in Camberley, where Caterham now resides, celebrated her milestone with a party, cake, and a special tiara marked with “115.”

“Huge congratulations to Lakeview resident, Ethel, on becoming the oldest person in the world!” read a statement posted on the facility’s Facebook page. “What an incredible milestone and a true testament to a life well-lived. Your strength, spirit, and wisdom are an inspiration to us all.”

Though Caterham is now the world’s oldest living person, the record for the oldest human ever remains with Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records.

Still, Caterham’s understated philosophy and century-spanning perspective offer a timeless reminder of grace, resilience, and the enduring power of a peaceful spirit.

 Ukrainian Female Journalist Returned Mutilated After Detention by Russian Forces: Eyes and Brain Missing, Officials Say

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 KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of returning the mutilated body of missing journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, 27, whose remains were found with her eyes, brain, and parts of her larynx removed—a pattern that officials say highlights a disturbing practice in the ongoing war.

Roshchyna, an award-winning investigative journalist known for her reporting in occupied areas of Ukraine, had been held as a prisoner by Russian forces since 2023. Her body was recently repatriated in a body bag labeled “unidentified male,” but DNA tests confirmed the remains were hers.

The discovery of her remains shocked Ukrainian officials and human rights advocates. Forensic investigators reported signs of extreme torture. Her head was shaved, one of her neck vertebrae was broken, and burn marks consistent with electric shocks were found on her feet. One of her ribs was fractured, and her internal organs, including her eyes and brain, had been removed.

“These are not isolated acts. This is a systematic pattern of war crimes,” said a Ukrainian official familiar with the investigation. “Roshchyna’s mutilation is emblematic of the brutality inflicted by Russian forces on civilians and journalists.”

Experts suggest the removal of critical body parts such as the brain and eyes is an attempt to conceal forensic evidence of torture. According to forensic pathologists, the larynx can reveal signs of strangulation, while the eyes and brain may hold evidence of oxygen deprivation.

Roshchyna was last seen in summer 2023 reporting from Energodar, a city under Russian occupation. Witnesses later confirmed she was transferred to Melitopol, where she was held for four months and reportedly subjected to repeated beatings and deprivation. She was later moved to SIZO-2 in Taganrog, a notorious Russian detention center compared by survivors to a concentration camp.

One former detainee said, “Even the term ‘concentration camp’ falls short. What happens in SIZO-2 defies comprehension.”

During captivity, Roshchyna suffered severe health deterioration, including fevers, amenorrhea, and acute abdominal pain. Yet according to accounts from fellow detainees, she refused to cooperate with her captors, allegedly telling them, “I will never cooperate with you.”

Roshchyna worked for Hromadske TV and several independent media outlets. Her death adds to the mounting civilian toll in a conflict marked by war crimes and human rights abuses.

Meanwhile, the war continues to escalate. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian drone strike killed a 12-year-old girl and injured several others. A separate attack in Kyiv destroyed a three-story recreational center and wounded a woman.

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukrainian intelligence for the reported assassination of Russian Lieutenant-General Yaroslav Moskalik, who was killed in a car bombing in Moscow last week. The Kremlin has not confirmed his death.

As the violence intensifies, observers fear the conflict is entering a new, darker phase. Russia’s mutilation of Roshchyna’s body has been condemned internationally as a possible war crime, further deepening tensions ahead of a ceasefire deadline Moscow has shown no signs of honoring.

Mali National Dialogue Proposes Five-Year Presidency for Junta Leader Assimi Goita, Calls for Dissolution of Political Parties

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BAMAKO, Mali — A national conference convened in Mali’s capital has formally recommended that Colonel Assimi Goita, the military officer who seized power in a pair of coups in 2020 and 2021, be appointed president for a full five-year term, further entrenching the junta’s rule and sidelining the country’s long-stalled return to democratic governance.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the national dialogue — composed of political actors, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders — endorsed Goita’s leadership as the country’s official president and proposed sweeping political reforms, including the immediate dissolution of all existing political parties. The forum also called for stricter criteria for the formation of new parties, citing a need to restructure what it described as Mali’s fractured political landscape.

The recommendations from the forum, held in Bamako, are expected to be implemented in the coming days, further solidifying the military’s grip on power in the West African nation.

Goita, 41, a former special forces colonel who rose to prominence after leading two consecutive coups, has served as Mali’s de facto head of state since being named “President of the Transition” in 2021. In October 2024, he was elevated to the rank of five-star general — a symbolic gesture that underscored the military’s central role in Mali’s governance.

While the junta initially pledged to restore civilian rule through democratic elections scheduled for February 2022, that timeline has been repeatedly postponed. The regime has cited persistent insecurity — including violent insurgencies by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State — as justification for delaying elections.

The decision to recommend Goita for a five-year term, as well as to dismantle the current political party system, raises serious concerns among international observers and Malian pro-democracy advocates who argue the junta is veering toward authoritarian rule under the guise of security and reform.

The national dialogue was organized by the transitional authorities as part of an ongoing effort to shape the country’s future political system. However, key opposition parties and major civil society groups boycotted the proceedings, claiming the process lacked transparency and legitimacy.

Despite widespread criticism, Goita and his allies have maintained broad control over the political landscape, bolstered by alliances with foreign military contractors and a growing disengagement from Western partners. Mali formally withdrew from the G5 Sahel military alliance in 2022 and has deepened ties with Russia, including security cooperation with the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group.

The junta has argued that its continued rule is necessary to stabilize Mali, where extremist violence has displaced hundreds of thousands and undermined state authority across large parts of the country. Since 2012, jihadist insurgents have exploited ethnic tensions and weak governance, expanding their reach beyond Mali’s northern deserts into central and southern regions.

Tuesday’s recommendations — particularly the proposal to dissolve all existing political parties — mark a dramatic shift in Mali’s post-coup political trajectory. The move, if implemented, would effectively erase the country’s current political architecture, potentially replacing it with a military-backed system with limited space for dissent or opposition.

It remains unclear how or when these proposals will be formalized into law. No date has been set for new elections, and the transitional government has not publicly committed to a new electoral timeline.

The developments in Mali come amid growing regional instability, with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger also under military rule following coups. The three Sahel countries recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States, signaling a shared resistance to external pressure for democratic transitions and increased cooperation among military-led governments.

Jihadist Resurgence in Northeast Nigeria Raises Alarm Over Armed Drones, Sophisticated Tactics

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Emmanuel
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MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — A sharp escalation in attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in northeastern Nigeria has reignited fears of a full-scale jihadist resurgence, as extremist groups demonstrate alarming advancements in technology and battlefield coordination, according to security experts.

Over the past weekend, at least 22 civilians were killed in separate raids across Adamawa and Borno states. On Monday, an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by militants tore through two vehicles in Borno, claiming the lives of 26 more. Since the start of the year, dozens of similar deadly assaults have rocked the region, pointing to a growing operational tempo by jihadist factions once thought to be in decline.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, whose state has borne the brunt of the 15-year insurgency, warned late last week that terrorist elements were regrouping in key strategic locations such as the Lake Chad Basin and the notorious Sambisa Forest, with little apparent resistance from Nigeria’s overstretched military forces.

“The insurgents are regaining ground,” Zulum said during a press briefing. “They are consolidating in rural and border regions where state presence is minimal.”

The resurgence comes amid a relative pause in inter-factional fighting between Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP. Since their 2016 split, the two groups had battled violently for supremacy in the region, often draining their resources in the process. But recent intelligence indicates a tactical pivot: the factions are now focused on coordinated offensives against state forces and civilians, rather than internal disputes.

Experts say the groups have adopted more sophisticated warfare strategies — including the deployment of armed drones — signaling fresh streams of funding and technical support, particularly for ISWAP.

“Both Boko Haram and ISWAP have become bolder in recent months and are demonstrating improved combat capability,” said James Barnett, a research fellow at the Hudson Institute with extensive fieldwork experience in Nigeria. “The introduction of drones into their arsenal is especially troubling, as it represents a leap in asymmetric warfare potential.”

The Nigerian military outpost near the Cameroonian border was struck by drone fire last month, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers — a tactic never previously employed by domestic terror cells. Analysts now believe ISWAP may be receiving operational guidance and technological assistance directly from the Islamic State’s central command.

“There’s credible evidence that IS advisers are embedded on the ground with ISWAP units,” said Vincent Foucher, a senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research who has interviewed multiple former fighters. “Their tactics have evolved rapidly — we’re seeing a more structured use of explosives, coordinated raids, and high-tech equipment.”

Foucher noted that with diminished infighting, ISWAP and Boko Haram now have more bandwidth to launch coordinated and large-scale offensives. “They’re not distracted by internal conflict anymore — they’re channeling their full capacity against Nigerian targets.”

Security observers also attribute the resurgence to the jihadists’ resilience and tactical adaptability. Malik Samuel, a senior analyst at the think tank Good Governance Africa, noted that the current wave of attacks closely mirrors earlier insurgent strategies that overwhelmed the Nigerian military.

“They’ve reverted to taking the initiative — choosing the time and place of battle, rather than merely responding to military pressure,” Samuel said. “That’s a classic sign of insurgent maturity.”

The Nigerian military has yet to issue a formal response to the surge in violence or the reported use of drones by jihadist groups. Civilian and military casualties have mounted steadily since January, raising concerns among humanitarian agencies and international observers that northeastern Nigeria may be entering a new and more dangerous phase of conflict.

The jihadist insurgency, which began in 2009, has killed over 35,000 people and displaced more than two million. With militants reportedly consolidating their foothold in remote areas along the Nigerian-Cameroonian border, observers warn that without decisive intervention, the renewed violence could spill further across the region.

Trump Administration Moves to Designate Haitian Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations in Major Immigration and Security Shift

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WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intent to designate two of Haiti’s most powerful and violent gang coalitions, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations, in a move that would dramatically expand the United States’ legal framework for countering non-state actors driving mass displacement and violence in the Caribbean nation.

According to multiple individuals familiar with the matter, the notification was sent to the foreign relations committees in both chambers of Congress on April 23. It marks a significant escalation in President Donald Trump’s broader campaign to stem the flow of migrants from crisis-wracked nations and reframe global criminal networks under the U.S. counterterrorism apparatus.

The designation would subject anyone providing “material support” to these gangs — including financial assistance, weapons, or even public advocacy — to criminal penalties under U.S. law. The move aligns with earlier actions taken by the Trump administration against Latin American cartels and follows the recent foreign terrorist designation of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, which Trump used as legal grounds to deport Venezuelan migrants under a centuries-old wartime statute.

The State Department declined to comment publicly, but sources confirmed that the measure specifically targets Viv Ansanm, a formidable coalition of over a dozen gangs formed in September 2023, and Gran Grif, the dominant gang in Haiti’s central Artibonite region. Together, they have helped plunge Haiti into a near-total collapse of civil order, contributing to a humanitarian disaster and the mass exodus of Haitians across the hemisphere.

Viv Ansanm — Creole for “Living Together” — has led a wave of violent uprisings since February 2024, shutting down the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, storming the country’s two largest prisons to release hundreds of inmates, and eventually forcing Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign. The gang alliance merged Haiti’s two largest and once-rival criminal networks, G-9 and G-Pèp, and now controls over 85% of Port-au-Prince.

Gran Grif, led by the feared Luckson Elan, known as “General Luckson,” has been linked to some of the most brutal massacres in the country’s recent history. In October 2024, the group was blamed for the killing of more than 70 people in the town of Pont-Sondé, and it was reportedly behind a more recent assault in Petite Riviere that left several dead, including an 11-year-old child.

Gran Grif’s rise was aided by Prophane Victor, a former Haitian parliamentarian who armed young men in Artibonite. The United Nations and Western governments accuse him of facilitating grave human rights abuses. Victor was arrested in January and sanctioned by both Canada and the United States in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The Trump administration’s move also comes just months after it revoked protective immigration measures for roughly half a million Haitians in the U.S., signaling a pivot toward hardline immigration enforcement ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Critics of the administration say the new terror designations could further complicate asylum claims for Haitians, many of whom are fleeing precisely the gangs being targeted.

United Nations data paints a grim picture of Haiti’s current crisis. More than 5,600 people were killed in gang-related violence last year, and over 1 million Haitians have been displaced. Entire communities have been overrun or burned down, while critical infrastructure — including prisons, police stations, and religious pilgrimage sites — has been attacked.

The gang offensive has extended beyond the capital. In the city of Mirebalais, hundreds of inmates were recently freed during a violent raid, while nearby Saut d’Eau — a sacred site for Vodou-Catholic pilgrims — was also targeted. In early 2025, gangs reportedly killed over 260 people in the communities of Kenscoff and Carrefour, while national security forces failed to respond for hours.

The resulting turmoil has triggered record levels of hunger. The U.N. now warns that over half of Haiti’s 12 million residents could face acute food insecurity by June. Some 8,400 individuals are projected to starve in displacement camps, the organization added.

Designating Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist groups is a historic step, expanding the legal and political definition of terrorism well beyond traditional targets like al-Qaida and ISIS. If finalized, it would signal that the U.S. now considers Haiti’s criminal networks not just a humanitarian or criminal concern — but a national security threat.

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