In Haiti, gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as Barbecue, intensified tensions on Friday, declaring his ongoing efforts to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry. As violence escalated in parts of the capital, Cherizier urged families to keep their children at home to prevent harm amid the turmoil.
The streets of Haiti‘s capital witnessed heavy gunfire and disruptions, with residents fleeing homes near the conflict zones. Burnt buses littered the streets, while burning barricades filled the air with thick, gray smoke, painting a grim picture of the city’s unrest.
Cherizier’s remarks came during a press conference, where he asserted his determination to challenge Prime Minister Henry’s authority.
A former police officer, Cherizier leads an alliance of gangs and has a history of disruptive actions, including blocking the country’s largest oil terminal in 2022. He has faced sanctions from both the United Nations and the United States Department of Treasury.
Reports emerged later in the day that armed men had attempted to seize control of the capital’s main container port, heightening fears of further violence. Additionally, a disturbing video circulated on social media, purportedly depicting the murder of two policemen, adding to the tensions gripping the nation.
In response to the escalating violence, Prime Minister Henry’s office issued a statement condemning the acts of terror orchestrated by armed groups. Expressing condolences to the victims’ families, the government reiterated its commitment to resolving the conflict and restoring peace in the country.
The surge in violence coincided with Prime Minister Henry’s visit to Kenya, where a security deal was signed between the two nations. The agreement aims to address domestic court objections to Kenya’s plan of deploying 1,000 police officers for a U.N.-approved mission to tackle gang violence in Haiti.
Amidst the unrest, Prime Minister Henry assured regional leaders during a Caribbean summit in Guyana of plans to hold elections by August 2025, aiming to fulfill a previous pledge delayed due to security concerns.
Henry assumed office following the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s last president, with ensuring a peaceful transition of power remaining a crucial objective for the international community.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 300,000 people in Haiti have been displaced as a result of the ongoing violence, underscoring the urgent need for stability and humanitarian aid in the country.