US prosecutors have announced charges against Jimmy Cherizier, infamous for leading a coalition of gangs in Port-au-Prince. The indictment details his solicitation of funds from the Haitian diaspora in the US to finance gang activities and procure weapons, breaching US sanctions. Cherizier, a former police officer and leader of the group Viv Ansanm (Live Together), remains at large in Haiti. The US has placed a $5 million bounty on information leading to his capture. His gang is linked to numerous violent crimes, including murders and kidnappings.
US Federal Authorities Charge Notorious Haitian Gang Leader "Barbecue"
US Federal Authorities Charge Notorious Haitian Gang Leader "Barbecue"
The US government has filed criminal charges against Jimmy Cherizier, the Haitian gang leader known as "Barbecue," for allegedly funding gang operations.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the significance of the $5 million reward, citing Cherizier's track record of human rights violations, particularly against American citizens in Haiti. Prosecutors allege that Cherizier was instrumental in the 2018 La Saline massacre, resulting in 71 deaths and widespread destruction. Alongside Cherizier is Bazile Richardson, a naturalized US citizen, accused of aiding in fundraising for the gang before his arrest in Texas. Both men are purportedly fueling the ongoing security crisis in Haiti.
Cherizier is already sanctioned by the US, UN, Canada, and the UK for perpetuating violence. The country confronts heightened instability since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021 amidst an economic and humanitarian crisis, where over half of the population faces acute food insecurity. The recent UN-backed security efforts have struggled to stabilize the situation in Haiti.
Cherizier is already sanctioned by the US, UN, Canada, and the UK for perpetuating violence. The country confronts heightened instability since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021 amidst an economic and humanitarian crisis, where over half of the population faces acute food insecurity. The recent UN-backed security efforts have struggled to stabilize the situation in Haiti.
