U.S. Department of State
09/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/22/2025 08:46
Designation of Two Former Haitian Public Officials for Involvement in Significant Corruption
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Designation of Two Former Haitian Public Officials for Involvement in Significant Corruption
Press Statement
Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson
September 22, 2025
The Department of State is publicly designating Arnel Belizaire, a former member of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies, and Antonio Cheramy, a former Haitian Senator, for their involvement in significant corruption during their time in public office. This action renders Belizaire, Cheramy, and their immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
Belizaire and Cheramy abused their positions by interfering with public processes of the Haitian government. These corrupt and destructive acts had serious effects on U.S. national interests by further destabilizing Haiti's institutions and processes.
The designations reaffirm the United States' commitment to ensuring accountability for individuals who contribute to the destabilization of Haiti.
These public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (Div. F, P.L. 118-47), as carried forward by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (Div. A, P.L. 119-4) ("Section 7031(c)"). Section 7031(c) requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate foreign officials and their immediate family members about whom the Secretary has credible information of involvement in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights.
Tags
Bilateral Relations and Engagement Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Corruption Democracy and Good Governance Foreign Policy Haiti Human Rights Office of the Spokesperson Section 7031(c) Visa Restrictions
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