Warlord ‘Barbecue’ and his forces experience setbacks amid growing unrest
Haiti is on the brink of collapse as gang violence surges to unprecedented levels, turning the streets of Port-au-Prince into a battleground. Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a notorious warlord, recently suffered a significant blow with the loss of a key commander, Ti Greg, of the Delmas 95 gang. This development comes amid fears that Cherizier is orchestrating a bloody coup to overthrow the Haitian government.
Ti Greg, also known as Ernst Julme, was freed in a daring mass jailbreak earlier this month, signalling a new era of gang-led violence. However, his recent death in a police shootout marks a critical setback for Cherizier’s ambitions to extend his control over the capital.
Port-au-Prince is engulfed in chaos, with over 200 gangs vying for dominance. The violence has led to a horrifying toll of deaths, kidnappings, and widespread destruction, pushing Haiti to the edge of anarchy. The recent unification of gangs under Cherizier’s leadership has only intensified the conflict, with coordinated attacks threatening to overthrow the already unstable government.
Cherizier, a former elite police officer, has a notorious reputation for brutality, including setting his victims on fire. Despite the setback of losing Ti Greg, he remains determined to seize total control of Haiti, leveraging the collective power of the gangs.
The situation is exacerbated by the emergence of vigilante groups, such as Bwa Kale, taking matters into their own hands in a desperate bid to combat the gangs. The recent lynching of gang leader Makandal and his associates by citizen vigilantes in Petion-Ville underscores the escalating violence and public outrage.
As Haiti descends further into lawlessness, the international community watches with growing concern. The humanitarian crisis deepens, with millions at risk of famine and displacement, and basic services collapsing. The future of Haiti hangs in the balance, with fears of a bloody coup looming and the potential for even greater violence and instability.
