United Nations imposes sanctions on four gang leaders in Haiti

(Patria) - The United Nations Security Council announced on Friday that it has approved the addition of four suspected Haitian gang leaders to the sanctions list, Reuters reported.

The UN has imposed sanctions on Renel Destin, believed to be the main leader of the Grand Ravine gang, as well as Vitel'homme Innocent, considered the leader of the Kraze Barye gang, and Johnson Andre of 5 Segonda and Wilson Joseph of the 400 Mawozo gang.

The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions against the same four individuals earlier on Friday.

The long-awaited UN sanctions announcement comes as countries are being urged to voluntarily contribute troops to a multinational security mission to help the national police combat gangs that have expanded their control over much of Haitian territory.

Previously, the international body had sanctioned only one Haitian - Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer and leader of the G9 Alliance, which competes with the G-Pep alliance for control over parts of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.