Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbecue," is facing federal charges in the US for soliciting funds for his gang activities. The gang he leads, Viv Ansanm, has been blamed for numerous violent acts in Haiti, prompting the US government to offer a monetary reward for his capture.
US Charges Haitian Gang Leader “Barbecue” for Criminal Activities
US Charges Haitian Gang Leader “Barbecue” for Criminal Activities
US prosecutors unveil charges against Jimmy Cherizier, a gang leader implicated in violent crimes and solicitation of funds within the Haitian diaspora.
US federal prosecutors have announced significant criminal charges against Jimmy Cherizier, the notorious Haitian gang leader better known as "Barbecue." Cherizier heads an alliance of gangs that exert considerable control over the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. The indictment alleges that he, alongside US citizen Bazile Richardson, 48, solicited financial support from the Haitian diaspora in the United States to fund gang operations and procure firearms, actions that breach US sanctions.
Cherizier, a former police officer currently at large in Haiti, leads the gang known as Viv Ansanm ("Live Together"). In response to his criminal activities, the US is offering a reward of $5 million (£3.7 million) for information leading to his arrest. The Viv Ansanm group has been implicated in severe human rights violations, including multiple murders, kidnappings, and targeted attacks on infrastructure, impacting both local residents and American citizens in Haiti.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro underscored the gravity of the situation during a press conference. "There's a good reason that there's a $5m reward for information leading to Cherizier's arrest," she stated, highlighting his role in heinous crimes. Among these is Cherizier's suspected involvement in the notorious 2018 La Saline massacre, where 71 lives were lost, over 400 homes were razed, and an alarming number of women were assaulted.
Richardson, the arrested American, is a naturalized citizen with roots in Haiti who had recently been living in North Carolina. He is accused of aiding Cherizier in fundraising efforts that played a vital role in financing the gang and acquiring weapons, contributing to the ongoing security crisis in Haiti. Assistant US Attorney General John Eisenberg remarked that the US is committed to targeting those who enable violence and instability in the region.
Earlier this year, the US government designated Viv Ansanm as a foreign terrorist organization, highlighting the group's significant influence and control over Port-au-Prince since around 2020. Cherizier faces sanctions not only from the US but also from the United Nations, Canada, and Britain, all of whom have condemned him for exacerbating violence within Haiti.
Despite the charges and offers for his capture, Cherizier remains a powerful figure on the streets, guarded by his gang members. The turmoil in Haiti has only deepened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leading to widespread economic disarray, an absence of political control, and escalating gang violence.
The ongoing gang dominance in Port-au-Prince has precipitated a profound breakdown of law and order. Health services across the country have diminished, perpetuating a dire food security crisis. UN-backed security efforts, including a Kenyan-led force, have struggled to restore stability in the capital, while humanitarian conditions deteriorate rapidly. Reports indicate that over 5.7 million people—more than half of Haiti's population—are currently experiencing acute food insecurity, with over one million citizens internally displaced due to the escalating violence.
