In accordance with Section 6(j) of its Guidelines, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti makes accessible a narrative summary of reasons for the listing for individuals and entities included in the sanctions list.
Renel Destina was listed on 8 December 2023 pursuant to paragraph 15 of resolution 2653 (2022) for the measures listed in paragraphs 3 and 6, as further elaborated by paragraphs 16(a), 16(e), 16(f), and 16(g) of resolution 2653 (2022).
Renel Destina (aka “Ti Lapli”) is the leader of the Grand Ravine gang and Johnson Andre’s key ally. Grand Ravine, composed of 300 members and an ally of G-Pep coalition, has been involved in various actions that threaten peace, security, and stability in Haiti (see S/2023/674, paragraph 65).
Under Destina’s leadership, Grand Ravine gang has committed serious crimes e including murder, rape, armed robbery, destruction of property, kidnapping for ransom, theft of vehicles, hijacking of trucks and goods, and spoliation (see S/2023/674, para. 136, Annex 4). Destina is also wanted by the Haitian National Police for crimes including murder, vehicle theft, truck hijacking, illegal arms possession, and kidnapping for ransom (see S/2023/674, Annex 18).
Since late 2022, the gang has tried to expand its territorial control over the neighborhoods of Carrefour-Feuilles and Savanne Pistache, committing crimes against residents and continuous attacks against the Haitian National Police such as killings, robberies, rapes, looting and burning of residences, and attacks on police officers. Two police officers were killed on August 4 and 14, 2023. On August 14, 2023, Grand Ravine attacked and rendered the Haitian electricity substation non-operational in the area. On August 15, 2023, approximately 1,020 households, comprising 4,972 individuals, had fled from Carrefour-Feuilles and Savane Pistache (see S/2023/674, paragraph 65). On May 24, 2023, gunmen from Grand Ravine attacked the Carrefour-Feuilles area, killing a schoolboy (see S/2023/674, Annex 40).
According to a November 7, 2022 Department of Justice press release, Destina, was indicted on charges related to the kidnapping a U.S. victim in February 2021. The victim was held for approximately 14 days, during which time the victim was threatened daily at gunpoint, while his family attempted to secure funds for release.
According to an October 22, 2020 Haitian Times article, Destina announced on a radio broadcast that he had kidnapped Wolf Hall, the president of Titi Loto & T-Sound Lottery organization on October 18, 2020.
In addition, Grand Ravine has established control along the National Road 2 (NR2) connecting Port-au-Prince to the South, to collect revenue from extortion, hijacking of trucks, contraband, and other illicit activities (see S/2023/674, paragraph 79). This has restricted access to strategic infrastructure and stifled the local economy by disrupting access to food and other critical goods, including humanitarian aid.