Haiti's Police Launch Major Raid on Gang Leader's Headquarters

Haitian police have executed a significant operation against gang-controlled areas, particularly focusing on strongholds led by infamous gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, raising hopes of improved security in Port-au-Prince.

In a bold move, the Haitian government announced the initiation of a major police operation aimed at dismantling the influence of the notorious gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, also known as "Barbecue," in the Lower Delmas area of Port-au-Prince. This region has been severely impacted by gang violence, which has led to a near-total collapse of law and order.

Authorities reported that several gang members have been killed during these raids, which have included the use of military drones equipped with explosives. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed his support for the operation, praising the police's special task force that was established just two days prior to address the pervasive insecurity.

Chérizier, 47, stands as the dominant figure in the Viv Ansam coalition, a group of gangs that assert control over significant parts of the city. Reports regarding the participation of Kenyan police officers, brought in last year to assist in combating gang violence, remain unclear. Recently, a Kenyan police officer was tragically killed while conducting patrols with the Multinational Security Support mission during an altercation with gang members.

The ongoing gang dominance in Port-au-Prince has precipitated a catastrophic breakdown of essential services, with health care systems collapsing and a looming food insecurity crisis impacting countless residents. In 2024 alone, nearly 5,500 individuals have perished from gang-related violence, and more than a million people have been forced to abandon their homes.

Despite the desperate situation, Haiti's transitional presidential council has struggled to initiate the long-awaited elections necessary for re-establishing democratic governance in the country. As the police raid unfolds, many Haitians watch with bated breath, hopeful for a return to stability and order.