Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, known as Barbecue, has issued a stark warning of civil war and potential “genocide” unless Prime Minister Ariel Henry steps down. Cherizier, a former police officer under United Nations sanctions for human rights violations, made this declaration amidst a violent attempt by armed criminal gangs to overthrow Henry while he was abroad last week.
Last reported to be in Puerto Rico after his plane was denied landing in the Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Henry was expected to resign in February. The island of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, saw these events unfold.
Cherizier’s statement to reporters in the capital Port-au-Prince emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “If Ariel Henry doesn’t resign, if the international community continues to support him, we’ll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide.”
He added, “Either Haiti becomes a paradise or a hell for all of us. It’s out of the question for a small group of rich people living in big hotels to decide the fate of people living in working-class neighbourhoods.”
The violent actions included gangs firing on police outside Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport, leading to its closure. Schools, banks, and other establishments also remained shut. Over the weekend, the gangs raided Haiti’s major prisons, resulting in the escape of thousands of inmates.
Michel St-Louis, standing by a burned police station in the capital, commented,“Haiti is now under the control of the gangs. The government isn’t present,” said Michel St-Louis, 40, standing in front of a burned-down police station in the capital. “I’m hoping they can keep Henry out so whoever takes power can restore order.”
Prime Minister Henry, who assumed power following a deal with the opposition after President Jovenel Moise’s assassination in 2021, was expected to step down in February to pave the way for elections. However, escalating gang activities in both urban and rural areas have complicated this process.
In response to the volatile situation, Henry has advocated for a UN-backed multinational police mission to help stabilize the country, citing the ongoing unrest. Recent reports indicate that around 15,000 individuals have evacuated the most affected areas of Port-au-Prince, with many heading towards Artibonite, once Haiti’s agricultural heartland, now grappling with food shortages due to the spreading violence.
As tensions escalate, the Haitian government has declared a state of emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew. The UN Security Council has scheduled a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation further.
Regional countries have evacuated embassy staff and advised their citizens to leave as the unrest continues to unfold.
