U.S. calls for political accord in Haiti as Canada sanctions two former ministers

Two former cabinet ministers in Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s government have been sanctioned by Canada after allegations of corruption and support of the country’s gangs. Mélanie Joly, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, announced Tuesday that Canada is sanctioning former ministers Berto Dorcé and Liszt Quitel. The men were two of the most high profile members in the Henry government before they were each forced to resign by the Haitian prime minister last month after the United States quietly revoked their U.S. visas. Dorcé was foreign minister and Quitel, who previously held the justice ministry portfolio, was appointed interior minister when Henry put together his government in July 2021. The U.S. State Department does not confirm visa cancellations but several sources have confirmed to the Miami Herald that the two men, whose tenures were peppered with controversies, are among those who have lost their right to enter the United States. On Tuesday, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Brian A. Nichols warned that those who continue to fan instability in Haiti “will continue to face potential sanctions.”