As new Haiti leadership takes power, gangs demand a seat at the table
Port-au-Prince, Haiti Reuters Haiti’s new transition council is set to choose the country’s next president on Tuesday, but leaders of the gangs who have exerted increasing control are clamouring for political influence and amnesties and threatening violence if their demands are not met. Last week, after former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned, the council was […]
Who is ‘Barbeque’ Cherizier, the gang leader seeking to topple Haiti’s government?
Reuters Deadly fighting between armed gangs and police escalated in Haiti this week, with gang alliance leader Jimmy Cherizier issuing a call to topple the unelected and largely absent government. The 46-year-old Cherizier, alias “Barbeque,” was formerly an officer of the Haitian National Police force. As a police officer, he is alleged by the United […]
US pushes for Haiti political transition as gang leader warns of “civil war”
Port-au-Prince, Haiti Reuters The United States said on Wednesday it was calling on Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry to expedite a political transition as armed gangs seek his ouster amid a collapse in security and a humanitarian crisis. Henry, Haiti’s unelected interim leader, has been in the US territory of Puerto Rico since Tuesday, apparently […]
Updated: Haiti telecoms back after disruption amid violence, inmates on the run
Updated: 8am, 4th March, 2024 Port-au-Prince, Haiti Reuters International connectivity to Haiti was temporarily disrupted on Sunday following violent clashes in the capital that have damaged communications and led to a prison break at the main penitentiary as a major gang leader seeks to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The chairman of Digicel, one of […]
Haitian gang leader vows to “fight” Prime Minister, violence surges
Port-au-Prince, Haiti Reuters Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as Barbecue, warned on Friday he will keep trying to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry, and asked families to keep children from going to school to “avoid collateral damages,” as violence surges in parts of the capital. Heavy gunfire and traffic disruptions were seen in […]
Violence rocks Haiti as Prime Minister visits Kenya
Port-au-Prince, Haiti Reuters A wave of panic swept through downtown Port-au-Prince on Thursday as violence and heavy gunfire broke out, in what a gang leader said was a demonstration against authorities. The armed clashes involving gangs, police and vigilantes took place on the same day Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry arrived in Kenya for talks […]
UN unanimously passes Haiti sanctions, targets gang leader
United Nations Reuters The UN Security Council on Friday approved sanctions allowing it to impose an asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo on anyone who threatens the peace or stability of Haiti, naming the Caribbean country’s most powerful gangster as its first target. The 15-member council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution, which imposes […]
Haitians return to quake-damaged churches, gangs offer aid
Les Cayes, Haiti AP A Haitian gang leader on Sunday offered a truce and help for communities shattered by a devastating earthquake – potentially offering a break for a relief effort that has been plagued by hijacked aid trucks and disorder. The offer came as many Haitians resumed services in or outside damaged churches, sometimes […]