U.S. federal prosecutors have unveiled criminal charges against Jimmy Cherizier, infamously known as "Barbecue," leader of a Haitian gang alliance that has gained control over large areas of Port-au-Prince. The indictment claims that Cherizier and U.S. citizen Bazile Richardson solicited funds from the Haitian diaspora in the United States to finance gang operations and procure firearms, violating U.S. sanctions in the process.
Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer currently evading arrest in Haiti, heads the group Viv Ansanm (Live Together). The U.S. government has placed a $5 million bounty on information that leads to his capture. The gang has been linked to a series of violent crimes including murders, kidnappings, and significant infrastructure damage. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro highlighted the grave dangers posed by Cherizier, stating that he is responsible for "heinous human rights abuses" including violence against American citizens.
The charges emphasize Cherizier's alleged involvement in the La Saline massacre of 2018, which resulted in the deaths of 71 individuals and widespread destruction of homes. Richardson, who was arrested in Texas, is described as a naturalized U.S. citizen who grew up in Haiti and was engaged in financial activities supporting Cherizier's gang, contributing to the escalating security crisis in the country.
Earlier in May, Viv Ansanm was classified by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization, and the group has declared ambitions to transition into a political party. Alongside U.S. sanctions, Cherizier faces restrictions from the United Nations, Canada, and the United Kingdom for his reputed role in exacerbating violence throughout Haiti.
Despite these efforts, Cherizier retains considerable control over the streets and continues to be shielded by his gang. The recent history of violence is also marked by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, triggering unprecedented chaos in Haiti, a country struggling with pervasive poverty and weakened political governance.
Haiti is currently experiencing a profound humanitarian crisis, worsened by gang rule, leading to widespread insecurity and an estimated 5.7 million people facing acute food shortages. International efforts, including a UN-backed Kenyan security force, have struggled to restore order in Port-au-Prince as the situation continues to deteriorate.
