The United States has placed a $5 million bounty on Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the notorious leader of Haitian gangs. The announcement came after a federal grand jury indicted Chérizier on August 12, 2025, for conspiracy to undermine U.S. sanctions and finance his gang operations in Haiti. Prosecutors claim he, along with associate Bazile Richardson, solicited funds from the Haitian diaspora in the U.S. since December 2020. These funds, which included nearly $40,000 from a North Carolina resident, allegedly supported gang salaries and arms purchases.
Despite U.S. sanctions and the designation of his coalition, Viv Ansanm, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Chérizier has remained defiant. In a recent video message, he stated, “If the FBI wants me, I’m here.” This boldness highlights his perceived invulnerability and the complexity of bringing him to justice, particularly given the lack of a U.S.-Haiti extradition treaty.
Chérizier’s background complicates the narrative. Once a member of the Haitian National Police, he led a rise from law enforcement to becoming the figurehead of the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies. This transformation followed his dismissal from the police in 2018. As a gang leader, he has been linked to horrific events, including the La Saline massacre, which claimed over 70 lives.
His coalition controls much of Port-au-Prince, having orchestrated violence and intimidation against the government. Chérizier’s aggressive tactics include instigating government overthrows and coercing public cooperation. Following his threats against Haiti’s transitional government, several attacks on government convoys occurred, resulting in casualties.
As Haiti struggles with rampant violence and instability, World Bank and U.N. estimates reveal staggering death tolls. The recent inauguration of businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr as president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council does little to suggest immediate improvements. Saint-Cyr himself acknowledged the gravity of the situation, promising to prioritize security and state authority, yet the very foundations of the government are shaky.
Public response to his leadership remains polarized. While some celebrate his administration, others criticize the concentration of power among Haiti’s elite. Amid all this, civilians suffer—displaced and vulnerable amid unrelenting gang violence. The humanitarian and political crises in Haiti present daunting challenges, and the question of truly bringing leaders like Chérizier to account remains uncertain.
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