A MULTI-million dollar bounty has been placed on the head of a warlord who rules over one of the world’s most dangerous cities.
American prosecutors have announced a $5 million reward for information that leads to the capture of Jimmy Cherizier, also known as “Barbecue,” a notorious Haitian gang leader.
The vicious warlord has overseen bloody chaos in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, which now often resembles a battlefield.
Thousands of civilians are believed to have been caught in the brutal crossfire.
There have even been reports of rotting bodies littering the streets of the city as lawlessness runs amok.
Cherizier, a former Haitian cop, now leads a gang alliance called Viv Ansanm.
This group stands accused of numerous atrocities including murders and kidnappings across the lawless capital.
The US if offering a $5 million (£3.7 million) reward for information that leads to Cherizier’s arrest.
“There’s a good reason that there’s a $5 million reward for information leading to Cherizier’s arrest,” US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.
“He’s a gang leader responsible for heinous human rights abuses, including violence against American citizens in Haiti.”
The indictment alleges that he and US citizen Bazile Richardson solicited funds from the Haitian diaspora in the United States.
This money was then allegedly used to pay gang members and buy weapons in defiance of US sanctions.
Richardson was arrested in Texas last month.
U.S. Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg stated that the gang leader and his associates have been financially supporting Cherizier’s violent operations, contributing to Haiti’s escalating security crisis.
He further said US authorities would “continue to pursue those who enable Haiti’s violence and instability”.
Cherizier’s nickname Barbecue is rumoured refer to him setting his victims on fire.
Under rampant gang brutality, Port-au-Prince is now considered one of the most dangerous cities on the planet.
Fighting between gangs, cops and citizen groups has ripped through the city, leaving its infrastructure in tatters.
Health services are crumbling and food insecurity has grown increasingly acute throughout Port-au-Prince.
A recent attempt by a UN backed Kenyan led security force failed to restore control from the gangs.
Haiti was thrown into crisis when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in 2021.
Who is Barbecue?
HAITI’S Port-au-Prince currently lies in the hands of the feared Jimmy “Barbecue
Nicknamed “Barbecue” allegedly for his brutal method of burning victims, Cherizier portrays himself as a revolutionary, claiming to be a champion of the people.
His tactics include killing, injuring, and extorting anyone within his reach, forcing residents into a daily struggle to survive.
The fired cop turned warlord has been taking to the streets with a renewed vengeance and a plan to overthrow the government.
He is currently sanctioned by the UK and its allies for “engaging in acts threatening the peace, security and stability of Haiti”.
With Haiti’s situation worsening following the 2021 assassination of Prime Minister Jovenal Moïse, Barbecue’s power is expanding rapidly.
He has capitalized on the ensuing security void, seizing territories and forming alliances with other gangs to continue his campaign of violence.
G9 has also been responsible for repeatedly cutting Haiti off from its much-needed fuel supply by taking its main oil terminal hostage.
In a savage display of strength, Barbecue paralysed the country several times by preventing the distribution of food, water and vital medicines, plunging it into a deeper humanitarian crisis.
Barbecue’s criminal career dates back to his time as a police officer, InSight Crime reports.
He participated in an anti-gang operation in 2017, leading to the extrajudicial killing of nine civilians.
In 2018, he led a group of seven gangs in a massacre in La Saline, Haiti’s worst massacre in over a decade.
Barbecue was then fired from the police force and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
In 2019, he participated in a four-day attack across Port-au-Prince’s Bel-Air neighborhood, killing at least 24 people.
