Businessmen and Firms Profiting from the Haiti Conflict

Businessmen and firms that have profited from the Haiti conflict include private security contractor Vectus Global (founded by Eric Prince), who secured a 10-year deal to provide security services, and Haitian oligarchs like the Bigio family, whose wealth is tied to controlling local industries and transnational business connections. Financial firms and lobbying groups have also benefited through service contracts, such as TSG Advocates being hired by a consortium of Haitian business leaders.

International Firms

• Vectus Global: Founder Eric Prince secured a 10-year deal to deploy private security forces to restore order and government revenue streams, which includes control over security operations and revenue.
• Lobbying firms: TSG Advocates, a wing of a Florida-based lobbying firm, was hired by a coalition of Haitian businessmen, generating revenue through lobbying efforts.

Haitian Businessmen and Oligarchs

• Bigio family: The GB Group, founded by the late Gilbert Bigio, has significant interests in steel, telecom, banking, and food. His son, Reuven Bigio, continues to be involved in these sectors.
• Abdallah family: Reportedly linked to former President Jovenel Moïse, this family has been a major beneficiary of government patronage, operating transnational businesses and trusts in tax havens.
• Mevs family: This family has achieved near-monopoly control over local industries, particularly food importation.
• Madsens: Profited from beer production for decades before selling the company to Heineken.
• Other businessmen: Individuals like Réginald Boulos have built empires on food importation, supermarkets, news outlets, and agribusiness.

Other Businesses

• Franchises: Many U.S. companies with franchises or local partnerships in Haiti, such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Western Union, continue to do business in Haiti, although their prosperity is linked to overall economic stability, not just the conflict.
• Institut Macaya: This think tank, formed by Haitian businessmen, hired lobbying firms, indicating that business interests have a financial stake in the conflict's resolution.