Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Haiti strikes gang leader Barbecue's home
Haitian security forces, along with a private military company, carried out a drone operation to bomb the homes of a powerful gang leader named Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier.
This happened in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
Cherizier is the leader of a group of gangs called Viv Ansanm, which has been fighting against the police.
The operation involved the army, a special force supported by the United Nations, and a task force from the prime minister's office.
Cherizier has been sanctioned by the United Nations and there is a big reward for information that can lead to his arrest.
The operation happened a few weeks before the current government's term is set to end, but there is no clear plan for what will happen next in Haiti.
Haitian security forces bombed three houses belonging to gang leader Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier in Port-au-Prince.
The operation involved the army, the U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force, the prime minister’s task force, and the private military company Vectus Global.
Cherizier is a former police officer and leader of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, which has been in conflict with police.
Cherizier has been sanctioned by the United Nations and has a $5 million reward for his capture.
The operation occurred ahead of the February 7 deadline for the current transitional government’s mandate to end.
- Who
- Haitian security forces, including the army, Gang Suppression Force, prime minister’s task force, and Vectus Global, targeted gang leader Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier.
- What
- A drone operation bombed three houses belonging to Cherizier in Port-au-Prince.
- When
- The operation took place on January 14, 2024.
- Where
- The operation occurred in the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
- Why
- The operation aimed to target the stronghold of Cherizier, a leader of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, who has been accused of various crimes and is wanted by international authorities.
- Gang Leader
- Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier
- Location
- Port-au-Prince, Haiti
- Operation Date
- January 14, 2024
- Involved Forces
- Haitian Army, Gang Suppression Force, Prime Minister's Task Force, Vectus Global
- Gang Coalition
- Viv Ansanm
- Sanctions
- Sanctioned by the United Nations
- Reward
- $5 million for information leading to Cherizier's arrest