The United States plans to intensify efforts to curb the use of social media by violent gangs operating in Haiti, according to a U.S. envoy to the United Nations. Mike Waltz, speaking Monday during a UN Security Council meeting in New York, described the gangs’ online activities as “incredibly disturbing” and signaled imminent action to disrupt their financial exploitation of social media platforms.

Waltz, who recently visited Haiti, noted that gang leaders in the Caribbean nation frequently use social media to boast about killings, issue threats, and share content designed to recruit young people. Some younger gang members post music videos and display cash earned through illicit activities as a form of influence in an economically challenged country. While Waltz did not provide specific details on the measures the U.S. intends to take, his remarks underline a growing concern over the role of digital platforms in sustaining criminal networks.

This development occurs against the backdrop of the U.S. government’s plan to end temporary protected status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitians residing in the United States, a decision expected to be implemented later this week. The move, which would render many Haitians vulnerable to deportation, has sparked criticism from legal and human rights groups who argue it could exacerbate instability both for the individuals affected and for Haiti as a whole.

Efforts to limit Haitian gangs’ online presence are not new. In 2023, YouTube banned Johnson André, also known as Izo and regarded as Haiti’s most powerful gang leader, after he received backlash for gaining more than 100,000 subscribers and being awarded by the platform. This previous action reflected ongoing challenges social media companies face in managing content tied to organized crime.

The U.S. envoy’s recent comments illustrate a renewed focus on tackling the intersection of social media and gang violence in Haiti, highlighting the complex dynamics of crime, technology, and migration policy linked to the Caribbean nation’s persistent instability.