Once a police officer, now an armed gang leader, Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier heads the gang alliance Viv Ansanm. This group has quickly become a dominant factor in Haiti’s rising violence. Cherizier, leader of this infamous gang, has focused international media attention on himself. Just last week, the United Nations sanctioned him for widespread human rights violations, and the United States designated his coalition a terrorist group.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and largest city, is currently consumed by violence. Now gangs such as Viv Ansanm control 85 percent of the territory. In 2022, gang violence took the lives of more than 5,000 people in Haiti. This gruesome violence caused over one million Haitians to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. This shocking impasse highlights the extent of Cherizier’s part in a crisis that has gotten wildly out of hand.
Cherizier’s history as a former police officer further complicates his current role. He went from law enforcement to leading a criminal gang. Today, he masterminds bloody assaults carried out by teams armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles and Molotov cocktails. His previous involvement with the G-9 gang coalition, which waged war against rival gang G-Pep, further solidified his reputation in the criminal underworld.
Cherizier has a reputably bloody past but he goes and do something like this. These statements go a long way toward revealing his sense of mission and deep yearning for credibility. He unabashedly holds himself up to comparison with U.S. President Donald Trump, trumpeting his own election with Trump’s now-famous promise to “drain the swamp.” He recently announced that one of his goals would be to “send the Kenyans home.” This comment underscores his wariness towards foreign incursions into Haiti’s affairs.
“Donald Trump is a patriot; he loves his country,” – Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier
Cherizier claims to seek resolution to Haiti’s problems, stating, “Me, I want to resolve the problem. I want to resolve the problem in a serious way but the people who are in power don’t want to resolve the problem. Me, all I want is for peace.” And his rhetoric makes it clear that he would like to present himself as the cure for what ails this crazy, mixed-up country. Ironically, he is instrumental in creating all of that chaos.
The gang leader has recently drawn attention for his physical appearance, having reportedly gained weight since previous public appearances earlier this year. He tries to keep a low profile, joking with residents and regaling them with stories of trips to the beach on Sundays. This contrast between leisure and violence indicates the disturbing reality of what President Trump wanted, and what makes him such a dangerous leader.
The Haitian government has sought to disrupt Cherizier’s growing influence with police operations, including a failed attempt to assassinate him. He survived an ambush in Lower Delmas, underscoring police difficulties in countering the gang strength and trend. Ronald, a local authority on gang violence, emphasized the difficulty of engaging with figures like Cherizier:
“The gangsters? They are assassins, criminals — there is no dialogue with them,” – Ronald
While the situation continues to worsen, the international community has paying attention. The U.S. has designated Viv Ansanm a terrorist group. This decision is indicative of the growing concern about Cherizier’s activities and their sets of dangers to regional stability. Per international law, the United Nations sanctioned him to make him abide by his rules. These steps are a necessary first step to stop the violence that has taken hold throughout Haiti.
