Haiti's Police Intensify Offensive Against Gang Leader Jimmy Chérizier

Police operations targeting gang strongholds aim to restore order and combat escalating violence.

In a bold move to reclaim control over Port-au-Prince, the Haitian government has launched a major police operation against notorious gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, known as "Barbecue." The operation focuses on a shantytown in the capital long deemed a stronghold for Chérizier and his gang, Viv Ansam (Live Together), which is responsible for much of the violence plaguing the capital.

Authorities report multiple fatalities among gang members during the raid, bolstered by military drones equipped with explosives. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has voiced strong support for the assault, crediting a recently formed special task force focused on security challenges for the initiative.

Chérizier, 47, is recognized as one of Haiti's most formidable underworld figures, wielding considerable influence over significant areas of the city. The involvement of Kenyan police officers, deployed to assist in the fight against gangs, in this operation has yet to be confirmed.

The urgency for action stems from a dramatic escalation in gang-related violence, which has contributed to an alarming humanitarian crisis. Last year's data indicates over 5,500 individuals lost their lives due to gang violence, and more than one million residents have been displaced from their homes.

Despite the transitional presidential council's efforts to restore democratic governance in Haiti, attempts to organize elections continue to stall. Public services, particularly health systems, have crumbled under the weight of the gang wars, emphasizing the dire need for effective governance and public security.