Haitian gang leader ‘Barbecue’ warns citizens to stay indoors
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC)—The leader of the “Viv Ansanm” terrorist gang coalition in Haiti, Jimmy Chérizier, has urged members of the population to stay indoors as the group intends to confront law enforcement officials in the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue”, has issued a video message with the chilling warning that the Haitian National Police (PNH) suspend all leave and vacations of police officers from Sunday until further notice.
“This message is addressed to the Haitian people in general. Starting this Monday, November 17, 2025, unless absolutely necessary, do not go out. All drivers’ unions, stay home. All public transport drivers, stay home. We are announcing this without taking drastic measures, in order to inform the public about what will happen, to prevent them from becoming victims. Those who don’t need to, do not go out into the streets. Leave the streets to ‘Viv Ansanm’ and the police so that we can confront them,” Chérizier said in his message.
“If you ignore this and go out, we are not responsible for what might happen to you. The time has come, Haitian people, to unite to liberate this country,” he said.
His statement comes after the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) launched a large-scale joint operation earlier this month against the “400 Mawozo” criminal gang, blamed by the authorities for placing the communes of Tabarre and Croix-des-Bouquets, north of Port-au-Prince, under hostage.
Last Friday, specialised units of the GSF, PNH, and the FAd’H conducted a large-scale, coordinated, intelligence-led security operation against the leaders and members of the “400 Mawozo” that led to the seizure of a significant arsenal of weapons and ammunition, as well as a substantial increase in police presence in areas previously under the complete control of the criminal groups.
The preliminary report from the PNH spokesman, Inspector Garry Desrosiers, said at least seven gang members were fatally wounded and numerous others injured.
Desrosiers said several assault weapons and ammunition were seized, including a .50 caliber American Barrett rifle, a high-precision, large-caliber sniper rifle with an effective range of 2,800 meters capable of penetrating a 2-centimetre-thick steel plate.
Desrosiers said there were no casualties among the security forces.
