Haitian gang leader denies being injured during security forces operations

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The leader of the G9 gang, Jimmy Chérizier, alias 'Barbecue', has denied being injured during a large-scale operation involving several specialised security forces and drones is Bas-Delmas over the weekend.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the operation targeting gangs in Bas-Delmas, home to some of the Haiti’s development, and containing popular commercial zones such as Marché de Delmas.

“The Task Force created by the government and the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), in less than 48 hours, is already yielding results. A large-scale operation is under way in Bas-Delmas, and several gang members have already been neutralised. Security forces are mobilised, and a state of readiness has been declared,” Fils-Aimé wrote on the social media platform X.

“The state will not give in to terror. Haitian people, keep hope: the government stands with you in these difficult times. The fight against gangs is advancing. Haiti will take control of its destiny! The PNH is going on the offensive against armed gangs,” he added.

The CPT member in charge of Justice, Public Security, and the Rule of Law, Emmanuel Vertilaire, said that the security units from the National Palace are conducting a large-scale strategic operation to halt the advance of criminal groups.

“Several gang members have been neutralised, and favourable news for the republic is expected. I am awaiting confirmation,” Vertilaire posted also on X.

Unconfirmed reports had indicated that Chérizier, a former police officer and the spokesperson for the criminal coalition “Viv Ansanm”, had been injured during the operations by the security forces.

But in a two minute video, Chérizier, dressed in black, denied he had been injured during the operations.

“I am alive. I will now explain to you how the battle will end,” he said adding that “explosive drones were used to assassinate me.

“I can now use explosive drones to reach anyone in the country,” he warned, saying that he could obtain the same weapons used by the police to respond to the attacks.

“I have friends and brothers all over the world. I have money. Drones are sold everywhere. I can have some too,” Chérizier said, promising a response “proportional” to the attack.

Media reports said that several gang members were killed and heavy weapons and ammunition seized.

For the first time, the Haitian National Police (PNH) used drones capable of dropping explosives on identified targets, and a PNH spokesperson said that in this fight against terrorists “everything is allowed”.

Ever since the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, has been in a state of near-total paralysis due to escalating violence from gangs.

The United Nations Security Council in 2023 passed a resolution for a Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, aimed at combating gang violence and restoring stability in the country.

The mission was initially slated to be composed of 2,500 officers and soldiers, with Kenyan police officers forming the core of the force deployed to assist the Haitian police in regaining control of key areas and protecting civilians.

The MSS is currently facing significant funding issues, with the mission being severely underfunded and unable to reach its full operational capacity due to a lack of contributions from international partners. The United States, which has been a major contributor, has recently frozen some funding, further exacerbating the problem.

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