ICE arrests Haitian businessman Dimitri Vorbe in Miami

Miami, Florida.- Federal immigration authorities in Miami have arrested Haitian businessman Dimitri Vorbe, one of the country’s most influential figures, making him the latest member of Haiti’s political and economic elite to be detained on U.S. soil. According to online records, Vorbe is being held at the Krome North Services Processing Center, though the reasons for his arrest and whether charges have been filed remain unclear.

Vorbe’s detention follows the July arrest of businessman and former presidential candidate Réginald Boulos, accused of supporting violent gangs in Haiti. Analysts say the arrests send a strong message that prominent members of Haiti’s elite are no longer “untouchable.” Vorbe’s family controls Société Générale d’Énergie SA, once a major electricity supplier to Haiti, and was closely linked to lucrative state contracts under past administrations. His company was seized in 2020 by former President Jovenel Moïse amid corruption allegations.

The arrest came just a day after the U.S. sanctioned two former Haitian legislators for corruption, signaling a broader crackdown. Experts note that many Haitians, frustrated with endemic corruption and gang violence, may welcome the arrests as a sign of accountability. However, observers question whether such actions form part of a coherent strategy that can meaningfully stabilize Haiti, according to the Haitian Times.