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Haiti Launches Major Operation Against Gang Leader Jimmy Chérizier
The Haitian government has announced the initiation of a comprehensive operation targeting a notorious shantytown dominated by influential gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, commonly referred to as Barbecue.
Authorities report that several members of Chérizier’s gang have been killed during the operation, which is taking place in the Lower Delmas region of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Local sources indicate that military drones equipped with explosives are being employed as part of the efforts to dismantle gang control in the area.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé commended the operation, describing it as a result of a specialized task force that was established just two days prior to tackle the escalating insecurity.
Chérizier, aged 47, leads the gang coalition known as Viv Ansam (Live Together), which exerts significant influence over large portions of the city, contributing to the prevailing violence and instability.
It’s currently unclear if Kenyan police officers, who were deployed to Haiti last year as part of an initiative to combat gang violence, are engaged in this operation. Concerns have been raised following the recent death of a Kenyan police officer during a confrontation with gang members while on patrol with the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission last week.
The pervasive gang control in Port-au-Prince has resulted in a severe breakdown of law and order, leading to a collapse of essential health services and a dire food security crisis in the region.
In 2024, gang-related violence has claimed more than 5,500 lives, displacing over a million residents from their homes. Meanwhile, Haiti’s transitional presidential council, intended to restore democratic governance, has made little headway in organizing elections that have been delayed for an extended period.
Source
www.bbc.com