Violent Gang Leader Announces Plan to Capture Haiti’s Police Chief and Government Ministers
The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, was thrown into chaos on Thursday as heavy gunfire erupted throughout the city. In a shocking turn of events, a powerful gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue,” declared his intention to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers. This announcement came during the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was in Kenya finalizing details for the deployment of a foreign armed force to combat the rampant gang violence in Haiti.
Gunmen targeted various locations, including the main international airport and police stations, resulting in the deaths of at least four police officers, including two women, near the community of Canaan. The violence prompted the closure of the airport, businesses, government agencies, and schools. Sunrise Airways even suspended all flights in response to the escalating situation.
Chérizier’s video message sent shockwaves through the nation as he vowed to free Haiti with the support of his gang federation, G9 Family and Allies. He aimed to prevent Prime Minister Henry from returning to Haiti by capturing the police chief and government ministers. The prime minister’s office and Haiti’s National Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As gunfire continued to ring out across the city, terrified Haitians fled their neighborhoods, carrying their children and belongings. Some residents even raised their hands as a peace offering while rushing through intersections. Armored vehicles patrolled the empty streets of downtown Port-au-Prince, while others remained stationed near gang-controlled slums.
In an attempt to protect their neighborhoods, residents in areas such as Canape Vert and Turgeau set up roadblocks manned by armed men. Pierre Alex Boucher, a math teacher living in downtown Port-au-Prince, described the invasion of gangs in his neighborhood. He recounted hearing heavy gunfire before dawn and witnessing police attempting to fight the gang members before abruptly retreating. Boucher, fearing for his life, fled his home, emphasizing the urgent need for the country to revolt against the gangs.
It remains uncertain whether Chérizier has the support of other major gangs that reportedly control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince. Diego Da Rin, from the International Crisis Group, highlighted the complexities of gang dynamics and shifting alliances. While Chérizier referred to a coalition called Viv Ansanm (“living together” in Haitian Creole), which was formed as part of a peace pact between his federation and another powerful gang called G-Pep, the coalition quickly fell apart after its announcement. Da Rin questioned the credibility of Chérizier’s claims and emphasized the challenges of maintaining a concerted effort among rival gangs.
The coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, including the assault on the international airport and the burning of a police station in downtown Port-au-Prince, indicate a level of organization among the gunmen. These attacks occurred a day after Prime Minister Henry met with Caribbean leaders in Guyana, where he promised to hold general elections by mid-2025. This is the third time Henry has made such a promise since assuming office following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
Prime Minister Henry’s absence during this violent episode raises concerns about the potential disruption of plans to deploy Kenyan police officers to Haiti. While a court in Kenya ruled last month that the deployment was unconstitutional, Henry and Kenyan officials have been working on a deal to overcome this obstacle. However, Da Rin warned that as discussions progress and the deployment draws nearer, gangs may attempt to flex their muscles and discourage the arrival of foreign forces.
The government of Haiti confirmed that Prime Minister Henry arrived in Kenya on Thursday but did not specify when he would return to Haiti. The situation in Port-au-Prince remains tense, with the people of Haiti living in fear and uncertainty. The urgent need to address the escalating gang violence and restore stability to the nation is more pressing than ever.
