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In a nation suffocated by spiraling gang violence, Haitian National Police executed a high-stakes operation in the heart of Port-au-Prince. Their target: Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier, the country’s most notorious gang boss and leader of the feared G9 Family and Allies federation. The raid unfolded in Delmas 6, one of the gang’s strongholds, resulting in the deaths of several gang members while others fled.
This move came just days after a Kenyan police officer was killed in the line of duty, a sobering reminder of the extreme danger faced by those working to stabilize Haiti. The timing of the crackdown was no coincidence. With public confidence waning and global attention intensifying, the government needed to send a clear message that lawlessness will not be tolerated.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed that multiple gang members had been neutralized and that security forces remain on high alert for any retaliatory attacks. Yet the question remains: Is this the beginning of real change, or just another chapter in an endless cycle of violence?
Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier has become the symbol of Haiti’s gang crisis. Once a police officer himself, Chérizier transformed into the leader of a sprawling criminal alliance responsible for kidnappings, extortion, and violent territorial control. His name alone sends shockwaves through Port-au-Prince.
Barbecue and his gang after declaring violence in Haiti. Source: cnn.com
Whether he survived the latest raid is still unclear, and authorities have been careful not to confirm his fate. However, even his rumored death carries weight, signaling that the government may finally be taking the fight to the gangs. Still, history has shown that removing one figure rarely dismantles the deep-rooted structures of organized crime in Haiti.
Haiti has a long, complicated relationship with foreign military involvement. Past interventions, such as United Nations peacekeeping missions, have aimed to stabilize the country but often left mixed legacies of temporary peace without lasting solutions.
More recently, international support has shifted toward specialized police assistance rather than full military occupation. Kenyan police officers, for example, were deployed to help reinforce local security forces. Their presence has been critical in filling the gaps left by an overstretched Haitian police force. However, the death of a Kenyan officer shows just how volatile the situation remains and raises new doubts about the safety and effectiveness of foreign deployments.
So far, this limited intervention is a cautious alternative to large-scale military action, though some argue that only a more robust and coordinated international force can prevent Haiti from total collapse.
Related Read: Coming face to face with Haiti’s most notorious gang leader
Haiti’s descent into chaos is fueled by a complex web of factors:
• The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse shattered political stability.
• Widespread government corruption and dysfunction created a power vacuum.
• Gangs filled the void, gaining control over key areas of Port-au-Prince.
• Economic collapse and soaring inflation have left citizens desperate.
• Natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes further destroyed infrastructure.
The result is a nation where survival often depends on negotiating with or avoiding the gangs that now act as de facto authorities in many neighborhoods.
The security situation is nothing short of catastrophic. Nearly 80 percent of Port-au-Prince is reportedly under gang control. Shootouts, kidnappings, and extortion are everyday occurrences. Businesses have shut down, schools remain closed, and critical services like hospitals struggle to operate in the face of constant threats.
Kenyan Police officers in a mission to tackle Haiti gang. Source: AFP
Haitian police, underfunded and outnumbered, are locked in a nearly impossible battle. Even with foreign support, like the Kenyan police contingent, law enforcement is barely holding the line. Major roads are often blocked by armed groups, and any movement through the capital requires extreme caution.
For many residents, the idea of normal life is a distant memory. Fear governs daily existence, and the hope for lasting peace feels increasingly out of reach.
Ending the violence requires more than high-profile raids. Haiti's path to stability must address deep-rooted problems with both immediate and long-term solutions. Key steps include:
• Purging corruption from government and law enforcement to restore public trust.
• Rebuilding infrastructure to provide reliable health, education, and transport systems.
• Stimulating the economy through international investment and job creation.
• Disarming gangs and cutting off their revenue streams through coordinated crackdowns.
• Establishing a national dialogue involving political leaders, civil society, and international partners to set a shared vision for Haiti's future.
Haiti residents fleeing from violence. Source: france24.com
These reforms won't happen overnight, but without them, any security gains will quickly unravel.
The recent police operation against "Barbecue" may mark a turning point, but Haiti has been here before. High-profile arrests and crackdowns have come and gone, often with little lasting impact.
For Haiti to escape this cycle, it will take more than force. Structural reforms, strong leadership, and a united international effort are critical. The bravery shown by Haitian officers, along with their Kenyan counterparts, highlights the determination on the ground. But without a clear, sustainable strategy, the sacrifices being made may be in vain.
For now, the people of Haiti remain trapped between hope and despair, waiting to see whether this bold move is the start of something new — or just another brief pause in the relentless violence.
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