US prosecutors have indicted Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier for soliciting funds and arms to support criminal activities. Cherizier, who leads the gang Viv Ansanm, is accused of severe human rights violations, including his involvement in mass violence. The US government's efforts to curb the escalating crisis in Haiti continue amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
US Targets Notorious Haitian Gang Leader 'Barbecue' with Criminal Charges
US Targets Notorious Haitian Gang Leader 'Barbecue' with Criminal Charges
Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbecue," faces federal charges in the US, as authorities seek to dismantle his violent gang operations in Haiti.
US federal authorities have filed criminal charges against Jimmy Cherizier, a notorious Haitian gang leader known as "Barbecue." He is alleged to lead a powerful alliance of gangs that dominate the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Prosecutors claim that Cherizier and a US citizen, Bazile Richardson, 48, have been soliciting funds from the Haitian diaspora in the US to finance their gang's operations and purchase firearms, in violation of existing US sanctions.
Cherizier, a former police officer, is currently on the run in Haiti. He is the head of a gang named Viv Ansanm (Live Together), which has been implicated in numerous severe crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and violent attacks on public infrastructure. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro highlighted the significance of the $5 million reward offered for information leading to Cherizier's capture. She stated that he orchestrated "heinous human rights abuses" and posed a direct threat to American citizens in Haiti.
The indictment cites Cherizier's suspected involvement in the 2018 La Saline massacre, a brutal event during which 71 individuals were murdered, more than 400 homes were destroyed, and numerous rapes were reported. Richardson, a naturalized US citizen who had been residing in North Carolina, was arrested in Texas last month for his role in financing gang activities.
Assistant US Attorney General John Eisenberg remarked on the financial network supporting Cherizier's enterprise, emphasizing that their efforts contribute to the escalating security crisis in Haiti. The US has labeled Viv Ansanm a foreign terrorist organization, reflecting the group's firm grip on Port-au-Prince since 2020. Earlier this year, they declared themselves a political party, indicating their intention to exert political influence amid the violence.
In addition to facing US charges, Cherizier is also sanctioned by international bodies, including the United Nations, Canada, and the UK, all of whom accuse him of inciting violence within Haiti. If apprehended, he could face extradition to the US, but he remains entrenched in his criminal operations amidst widespread gang member protection.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, has spiraled into economic turmoil, characterized by rampant gang violence and weakened governmental authority. The breakdown of law and order has precipitated a humanitarian crisis, severely impacting healthcare systems and contributing to food insecurity for over half of the country's population. Recent attempts by a UN-backed, Kenyan-led security force to regain control over Port-au-Prince have proven unsuccessful, deepening the urgency of the crisis. With more than 1 million internally displaced individuals, the situation remains dire for the Haitian people as ongoing violence continues to threaten their lives and livelihoods.
