US federal prosecutors have launched criminal charges against Jimmy Cherizier, infamously dubbed "Barbecue," the leader of a notorious alliance of gangs dominating the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The indictment accuses Cherizier and Bazile Richardson, a 48-year-old US citizen, of soliciting funds from the Haitian diaspora in the US to finance gang activities and procure firearms, actions that violate US sanctions.
Cherizier, a former police officer who is currently evading capture in Haiti, heads the gang known as Viv Ansanm (Live Together). The US government has announced a substantial $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The group is implicated in numerous violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and assaults on public infrastructure.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the severity of Cherizier's actions at a recent press conference, stating, "He’s a gang leader responsible for heinous human rights abuses, including violence against American citizens in Haiti." Prosecutors have connected Cherizier to the brutal La Saline massacre of 2018, during which 71 fatalities occurred, along with extensive destruction and reports of sexual violence.
Richardson, who was apprehended in Texas last month, is a naturalized US citizen originally from Haiti and was living in North Carolina prior to his arrest. He allegedly assisted in raising funds to support Cherizier's operations, effectively empowering the violent criminal enterprise wreaking havoc across Haiti. Assistant US Attorney General John Eisenberg stated that the US remains committed to holding accountable those who contribute to Haiti's escalating violence and instability.
Earlier this year, the US designated Viv Ansanm as a foreign terrorist organization, reflecting the international community's concern over the group's increasing influence since it gained control over the capital in 2020. Cherizier's actions have drawn sanctions not only from the US but also from the United Nations, Canada, and the UK.
Despite these efforts, Cherizier maintains considerable power on the streets, shielded by his gang. The instability in Haiti has deepened following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leading to profound economic disarray, a breakdown of political order, and rampant gang violence. The security situation in Port-au-Prince has deteriorated significantly, with the UN estimating that over 5.7 million Haitians are grappling with acute food shortages amidst escalating humanitarian crises, including displacement and violence.
Cherizier, a former police officer who is currently evading capture in Haiti, heads the gang known as Viv Ansanm (Live Together). The US government has announced a substantial $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The group is implicated in numerous violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and assaults on public infrastructure.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the severity of Cherizier's actions at a recent press conference, stating, "He’s a gang leader responsible for heinous human rights abuses, including violence against American citizens in Haiti." Prosecutors have connected Cherizier to the brutal La Saline massacre of 2018, during which 71 fatalities occurred, along with extensive destruction and reports of sexual violence.
Richardson, who was apprehended in Texas last month, is a naturalized US citizen originally from Haiti and was living in North Carolina prior to his arrest. He allegedly assisted in raising funds to support Cherizier's operations, effectively empowering the violent criminal enterprise wreaking havoc across Haiti. Assistant US Attorney General John Eisenberg stated that the US remains committed to holding accountable those who contribute to Haiti's escalating violence and instability.
Earlier this year, the US designated Viv Ansanm as a foreign terrorist organization, reflecting the international community's concern over the group's increasing influence since it gained control over the capital in 2020. Cherizier's actions have drawn sanctions not only from the US but also from the United Nations, Canada, and the UK.
Despite these efforts, Cherizier maintains considerable power on the streets, shielded by his gang. The instability in Haiti has deepened following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leading to profound economic disarray, a breakdown of political order, and rampant gang violence. The security situation in Port-au-Prince has deteriorated significantly, with the UN estimating that over 5.7 million Haitians are grappling with acute food shortages amidst escalating humanitarian crises, including displacement and violence.
