Who is the gang leader behind the escalation of violence in Haiti?

Recently plunged into chaos, Haiti has declared a state of emergency due to escalating violence in the capital. The situation has been exacerbated by a significant event – the mass escape of thousands of inmates from two major prisons, resulting in at least a dozen casualties. Also, heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of Haiti’s main international airport on Monday, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites.

Amidst the turmoil, a prominent figure has emerged on the tumultuous stage – Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, a renowned gang leader, openly expressing his intentions to remove Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power. The current instability in Haiti serves as a stark reminder of the nation’s ongoing struggles since the tragic assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, leading to prolonged uncertainty and unrest.

“Barbecue” is a former police officer

Formerly affiliated with the Haitian National Police, Chérizier served in the crowd control unit, a division activated during civil unrest. Born in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince, near the La Saline slum, Chérizier faced adversity in his upbringing, losing his father at a young age.

He attributes his nickname “Barbecue” to his mother’s occupation as a street vendor selling fried chicken and vehemently denies any associations with violence or brutality, particularly the accusation of setting people on fire.

Chérizier has openly expressed admiration for François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Haiti’s notorious dictator from 1957 to 1971. He emerges as a figure with a controversial past and significant present influence in Haiti’s complex social and political landscape.

Accused of numerous human rights violations, Chérizier faces 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 remains at large with an outstanding arrest warrant.

Leading a coalition of Haitian gangs called the “G9 Family and Allies”, Chérizier’s influence spans various neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince. Initially composed of nine groups from areas like Cite Soleil, La Saline, and Lower Delmas, the coalition has expanded, impacting the country’s stability. Despite allegations of brutal attacks and extortion, Chérizier vehemently maintains his innocence, presenting himself as a revolutionary fighting against systemic injustices. He envisions a Haiti where wealth and resources are distributed equitably, challenging entrenched power structures that perpetuate poverty and inequality.

Haiti is in turmoil for the past 3 years

Recently, Prime Minister Henry embarked on an international journey to seek support for deploying a United Nations-backed security force aimed at stabilizing Haiti amid escalating conflicts with influential criminal groups. Assuming office after Moise’s assassination, Henry has faced criticism for repeatedly postponing parliamentary and presidential elections, which have been absent for nearly a decade.

Haiti’s National Police, consisting of approximately 9,000 officers, struggles to ensure the security of the nation’s 11 million people, often finding themselves outnumbered and outgunned by gangs controlling a significant part of Port-au-Prince.

Chérizier has claimed responsibility for the recent surge in attacks, intending to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers to impede Henry’s return. Despite calls for resignation, Henry, a neurosurgeon, remains steadfast and has entered agreements with Kenyan President William Ruto to salvage a plan deploying Kenyan police to Haiti, despite legal obstacles in Kenya. The ongoing violence complicates stabilization efforts and election preparations, with Caribbean leaders proposing a vote by mid-2025, a distant timeline likely to spark further opposition against Henry.

Haiti imposed a nighttime curfew on Sunday

In response to a surge of violence over the weekend, Haitian authorities imposed a nighttime curfew to regain control of the streets. A brazen attack by gunmen from gangs, who overran the country’s two largest prisons, freeing thousands of inmates, prompted a 72-hour state of emergency starting Sunday night. The government pledged to pursue and capture the escaped criminals, underlining the directive for the police to utilize all legal means to enforce the curfew and apprehend offenders.

The emergency decree comes after a deadly weekend featuring coordinated attacks by gangs 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, with nearly all 4,000 inmates escaping, leaving the prison deserted and guards absent.  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 neighbourhoods in the capital, while internet service for many residents was disrupted due to damage to fiber optic cables during the rampage.

These events signify 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.