Caught in a turmoil, Haiti recently declared a state of emergency amid escalating violence within the capital. This unrest has been further compounded by a significant event – the mass escape of thousands of inmates from two major prisons, resulting in casualties numbering at least a dozen.
Amidst this chaos, a prominent figure has emerged onto the tumultuous stage – Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier, a renowned gang leader, who has openly declared his intentions to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power.
The current instability in Haiti is a stark reminder of the nation’s ongoing struggles since the tragic assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, plunging it into prolonged uncertainty and unrest.
Who is ‘Barbecue’?
Formerly associated with the Haitian National Police, Chérizier served within the crowd control unit, a division typically activated during times of civil unrest. Born in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince, adjacent to the La Saline slum, Chérizier’s upbringing was marked by adversity, having lost his father at a tender age.
He claims his name ‘Barbecue’ to have originated from his mother’s occupation as a street vendor selling fried chicken and vehemently denies any connections to violence or brutality for allegedly setting people on fire.
Chérizier’s has previously expressed his admiration for François ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier, Haiti’s notorious dictator from 1957 to 1971. Chérizier emerges as a figure with a controversial past and a significant present influence within Haiti’s intricate social and political fabric.
He stands accused of numerous human rights violations, prompting sanctions from both the United Nations and the United States Department of Treasury. Dismissed from the police force in December 2018 due to his involvement in a 2017 massacre, Chérizier continues to evade justice, with an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Leading a coalition of Haitian gangs known as the ‘G9 Family and Allies,’ Chérizier’s sphere of influence extends across various neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. Originally comprising nine groups from areas like Cite Soleil, La Saline, and Lower Delmas, the coalition has since expanded, amplifying its impact on the country’s stability. Despite facing allegations of involvement in brutal attacks and extortion, Chérizier vehemently maintains his innocence, presenting himself as a revolutionary figure fighting against systemic injustices.
He envisions a Haiti where wealth and resources are distributed equitably, challenging entrenched power structures that perpetuate poverty and inequality.
Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier’s actions and influence continue to shape Haiti’s turbulent trajectory, emphasizing the pressing need for stability and justice in the nation.
Haiti in turmoil
Henry recently traveled abroad in a bid to garner support for deploying a United Nations-backed security force to help stabilize Haiti amidst escalating conflict with powerful crime groups. Taking office after Moise’s assassination, Henry has faced criticism for repeatedly delaying parliamentary and presidential elections, which haven’t occurred in nearly a decade.
Haiti’s National Police, comprising roughly 9,000 officers, struggles to provide security for the nation’s 11 million people, often being outnumbered and outgunned by gangs controlling a significant portion of Port-au-Prince.
Chérizier has claimed responsibility for the recent surge in attacks, aiming to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers to thwart Henry’s return. Despite calls for resignation, Henry, a neurosurgeon, remains firm and has signed agreements with Kenyan President William Ruto to salvage a plan to deploy Kenyan police to Haiti, despite legal obstacles in Kenya. The ongoing violence complicates stabilization efforts and election preparations, with Caribbean leaders announcing a proposed vote by mid-2025, a distant timeline likely to fuel further opposition against Henry.
Amid escalating violence, nighttime curfew imposed
Haitian authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew in an attempt to regain control of the streets following a surge of violence over the weekend. This included a brazen attack by gunmen from gangs who overran the country’s two largest prisons, freeing thousands of inmates.
A 72-hour state of emergency was declared starting Sunday night, with the government pledging to pursue and capture the escaped killers, kidnappers, and other violent criminals. Finance Minister Patrick Boivert, acting as prime minister, emphasized the directive for the police to utilize all legal means to enforce the curfew and apprehend offenders.
The emergency decree comes in response to a deadly weekend that saw a spike in violence. Gangs launched coordinated attacks on state institutions in Port-au-Prince, including the international airport and the national soccer stadium, resulting in at least nine deaths, including four police officers.
The assault on the National Penitentiary on Saturday was particularly shocking for Haitians, with nearly all 4,000 inmates escaping, leaving the prison deserted and guards absent. Meanwhile, in another neighborhood, residents encountered the grim sight of bloodied corpses, victims of the violence that had gripped the city.
Amidst the chaos, Colombians held hostage by the gangs pleaded for their lives in a widely shared video on social media, drawing attention to the indiscriminate violence within the prison cells.
The violence extended to other areas, with a second prison also being overrun, and gang members occupying and vandalizing the nation’s main soccer stadium, even holding an employee hostage.
Gunfire echoed through various neighborhoods in the capital, while internet service for many residents was disrupted due to damage to fiber optic cables during the rampage.
These events mark a troubling escalation in gang violence, with once unthinkable targets like the Central Bank now being attacked. The gangs, increasingly coordinated, have targeted several state institutions in recent weeks, resulting in the deaths of multiple police officers.
