Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier: the United States offers $ 5 million for the arrest of the Haitian gang leader

The United States announced on Tuesday to offer $ 5 million in exchange for the arrest of a Haitian gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, known as “barbecue”, accused of having violated American sanctions.

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Jimmy Cherizier, 48, and another man, Bazile Richardson, were charged for trying to transfer funds from the United States to Haiti to finance the activities of a gang, said the Ministry of Justice.

“A reward of $ 5 million is offered for any information leading to the arrest of Cherizier”. because he jimmy “barbecue” cherizier: united states is a “gang leader guilty of atrocious human rights violations, in particular violence against American citizens in Haiti,” said the Washington prosecutor, Jeanine Pirro, during a press conference.

Jimmy Cherizier has been targeted by sanctions from the US Treasury department since 2020, and UN sanctions since 2022.

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AFP

This former police officer directs a gang alliance in Haiti called the “G9 family”, whose members are accused of murder, theft, extortion, rape, targeted assassinations, drug trafficking and kidnappings.

Last year. the “G9 family” participated in an organized attack which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, replaced by a fragile transition council.

Jimmy Cherizier. jimmy “barbecue” cherizier: united states Bazile Richardson, a naturalized American citizen who was arrested in Texas last month, collected funds from the Haitian diaspora members in the United States and had intermediaries transfer to this Caribbean country, according to the Ministry of Justice.

“Barbecue” would have used these funds to pay the members of his gang and buy firearms.

The poorest country of the Americas. Haiti has long undergone the violence of the criminal bands, in a context of political instability. These violence were further intensified in early 2024. more than 3000 people were killed during the first six months of 2025, according to the UN.