gang leader threatens ‘civil war’ if PM stays in power

An influential Haitian gang leader threatened, Tuesday March 5, with “civil war” if the contested Prime Minister remained in power. “If Ariel Henry does not resign, if the international community continues to support him, we are heading straight towards a civil war which will lead to genocide”declared Jimmy Chérizier, nicknamed “Barbecue”, during a press interview.

Last week, the armed bands, which control entire swathes of Haiti and a large part of the capital Port-au-Prince, announced they were ganging up against the government. They have since carried out attacks against infrastructure at strategic sites, taking advantage of the Prime Minister’s trip abroad.

“We must unite. Either Haiti becomes a paradise for all of us, or a hell for all of us”continued Jimmy Chérizier, a 46-year-old former police officer who became leader of a gang coalition known as the G9 and was targeted by UN sanctions. “There is no question of a small group of rich people living in large hotels deciding the fate of the inhabitants of working-class neighborhoods”he proclaimed again.