The impoverished slums of Haiti have murals depicting him as the Argentinian revolutionary, Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
During interviews, he presents himself as a devout Caribbean figure, who idolizes those who fought for freedom and causes, such as Fidel Castro, Thomas Sankara, and Malcolm X.
“I also admire Martin Luther King,” shared Jimmy Chérizier, the leader of a Haitian gang, to journalist Jon Lee Anderson during their meeting last year. “However, he did not believe in using guns to fight, whereas I do.”
The dramatic rebellion led by a gang in Haiti against the government has thrust Chérizier, a 47-year-old flamboyant gang leader armed with a rifle, into the global spotlight – a position that history indicates he relishes.
Over the past five years the Haitian outlaw – who has emerged as the main spokesman for the gang uprising against Prime Minister Ariel Henry – has welcomed a succession of foreign reporters to his gangland domain hoping to justify what he calls his noble – if bloody – crusade to defend his country’s famished urban poor.
“I do not engage in theft, kidnapping, or rape. I am simply fighting for social causes,” stated Chérizier to the Associated Press during an interview last year, while seated outside a house with bullet holes.
In a 2022 interview with Vice, Chérizier referred to his makeshift favela army as “a sociopolitical entity and power that advocates for the marginalized.”
According to specialists, there is a more intricate and unpleasant reality surrounding Chérizier, also known as Babekyou (Barbecue).
Chérizier, who was born in the 1970s, grew up in Delmas, a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince known for its poverty. This was during the oppressive rule of Baby Doc Duvalier. He has mentioned in the past that he was one of eight siblings and lost his father at the young age of five. His mother supported the family by selling fried chicken on the streets, in the very area that Chérizier now controls.
According to Chérizier, it was his mother’s profession that resulted in him being called Barbecue, although some believe that his tendency to burn his victims alive was the true reason.
Prior to becoming the most powerful leader of a gang in Haiti, Chérizier served as a member of the national police force. He was part of the Unité départementale de maintien d’ordre, a specialized squad that has faced allegations of fatally shooting protestors.
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The police force in Haiti abides by the motto of “proteger et servir,” meaning to protect and serve. However, Chérizier, who has publicly expressed admiration for François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, the father of Baby Doc, does not seem to uphold these values.
In 2018, he was removed from the police force due to accusations of participating in a series of crimes. These included a brutal shooting in La Saline, a poor neighborhood, where 71 individuals were murdered, seven women were sexually assaulted, and 400 houses were set on fire.
Chérizier, the leader of a group known as the G9 Family and Allies, has denied any wrongdoing. However, he has faced sanctions from both the US and the UN for his alleged illegal activities. The G9 holds influence over several major slums and key roads in Port-au-Prince, giving Chérizier the ability to disrupt the country by cutting off access to fuel and causing shutdowns of schools and hospitals.
Louis-Henri Mars, director of the Haitian non-profit organization Lakou Lapè, described him as a dishonest entrepreneur.
“In 2020, I and other individuals dedicated to promoting peace approached him with a plea to cease his attacks on the Bel Air community in Port-au-Prince. Despite making promises, he persisted in destroying people’s homes. While he may hear us, ultimately his actions are driven by self-interest.”
According to the Financial Times, Mars likened the gangster to a volcano that is always ready to erupt. “While he possesses some charm and intellect, he is also a violent person,” Mars explained.
Similar to numerous Haitian mafia leaders, Chérizier also has influential ties within the political realm. It was speculated that he had a close relationship with former president Jovenel Moïse, whose assassination in 2021 led to the current chaos.
There is speculation that Chérizier may have his own political ambitions.
“Barbecue is charismatic and possesses natural political prowess … upon our first meeting, I immediately recognized him as a formidable presence,” expressed Stuart Ramsay, a correspondent for Sky News, after their 2023 meeting.
He perceives himself as a rebel battling the corrupt influence of the government and wealthy businessmen, however, it should not be overlooked that he is a blatant criminal.
According to Diego Da Rin, a specialist on Haiti for the International Crisis Group, Chérizier’s portrayal of himself as a caring yet tough leader of the ghetto does have some truth to it. Da Rin stated, “He gives gifts to women on Mother’s Day and supports families who cannot afford to send their children to school. However, people are also aware that he is one of the key individuals responsible for the difficult situation they are currently facing.”
Chérizier declared his intention to orchestrate a large-scale gang attack against Henry’s administration this week, culminating in a nightmare scenario. He directed his armed men to take to the streets and incite chaos. The violence, which commenced on February 29th, has resulted in the destruction of numerous businesses and police stations, the closure of the international airport, the release of numerous dangerous criminals from prison, and the blockade of the port.
Henry, who was on the African continent when the rebellion started, has not made any statements and has been unable to go back to his home.
“Regrettably, Barbecue holds the highest position of authority in Haiti,” stated Judes Jonathas, a consultant working out of Port-au-Prince independently.
Source: theguardian.com
