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March 17, 2024
HaitiWho is ‘Barbecue,’ the gang leader causing chaos in Haiti?
Barbecue’ once served as a member of Haitian National Police before becoming a gang leader.
At the helm of the chaos is 46-year-old Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, known by the nickname “Barbecue.” He runs a gang coalition called the G9 Family and Allies, which has risen to become perhaps the most powerful gang in Haiti.
- Cherizier previously served as an officer with the Haitian National Police before becoming a gang leader, but his notorious reputation started even during his time in law enforcement, including allegations he was responsible for the 2018 La Saline massacre, when at least 71 people were killed and 400 homes were burned down. It earned him the nickname “Barbecue,” according to The Associated Press, though Cherizier claims the name came from his mother’s work as a fried chicken street vendor.
Cherizier runs what is potentially the most powerful of hundreds of gangs, with the group having control of both maritime and aviation checkpoints that allow for both revenue streams as a result of ransom payments and the ability to bring in large amounts of weapons.
- But Cherizier’s ambitions seemingly became even greater in recent weeks. The gang leader said this month the ultimate goal was to overthrow Henry’s government. That statement also came with threats.
- Cherizier said the continued support for the prime minister by the “international community” would “lead us directly to a civil war which will end in genocide.”
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