Haiti’s “Barbecue” Gang Leader Behind Revolt to Oust Prime Minister
By Ronny Reyes
Published March 10, 2024, 5:54 p.m. ET
Haiti’s most notorious gang leader, known as “Barbecue,” may be the most powerful man in the nation as the prime minister remains unable to return home.
On Sunday, the US announced that troops had evacuated Americans from the US Embassy and brought in additional forces to secure the diplomatic compound in Port-au-Prince.
Who is “Barbecue”?
Jimmy Chérizier, the leader of the notorious “G9 and Family” gang, is in command of the bulk of the gunmen stirring anarchy in the capital — and he vowed to fight until embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns. He has likened himself to Martin Luther King, Jr. and was previously a member of the Haitian national police.
Growing Power and Influence
After being expelled from the police force, Chérizier took over the G9 Family, which controls many of the slums and streets of Port-au-Prince. His influence in the capital is so large that many now view him as the man who will take the reins as Henry’s administration struggles to maintain order. “Unfortunately, Barbecue is now the most powerful man in Haiti,” said Judes Jonathas, an independent consultant based in Port-au-Prince.
Escalation of Violence
After Haiti’s government declared a state of emergency, videos and images from social media have shed light on how Port-au-Prince has devolved into a war-torn city. Citizens are fleeing for their lives, and heavily armed military personnel are struggling to regain control of the city. As a response, the US has deployed additional security forces to the US Embassy and called for the evacuation of nonessential personnel.
International Complications
Efforts to send a UN-authorized security force to Haiti have been unsuccessful so far. Prime Minister Ariel Henry remains unable to return home and has faced opposition from neighboring countries. Luis Abinader, the president of the Dominican Republic, rejected Henry’s presence in the country for the sake of national security and stability.
Current Political Situation
The violence in Haiti has largely been targeted at Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed the role following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Although Henry pledged to step down, he now stresses the importance of restoring security before considering elections. The nation remains in a state of turmoil as the situation continues to escalate.
