Haiti’s security crisis deepened this week as vigilante groups and police clashed with gangs led by Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier in Pétion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. At least 150 people were killed in widespread violence, including 28 gang members who were killed and burned by vigilantes after attempting to attack the neighborhood.
Chérizier, a former police officer and leader of the Vivre Ensemble gang alliance, publicly threatened to target hotels in Pétion-Ville hosting members of Haiti’s transitional council. Hours later, dozens of heavily armed gang members arrived in the area but were met by armed residents and police. By morning, the gang’s attack had failed, and their mutilated bodies were left burning in the streets by vigilante groups.
The local self-defense effort was part of the “Bwa Kale” movement, where communities arm themselves to protect against gangs amid widespread lawlessness. Martine Villeneuve, of the charity Action Against Hunger, said gunfire and chaos persisted for hours. “The self-defense groups carried out a manhunt for anyone associated with the gangs. It was a very disturbing night,” she reported.
Armed gangs now control about 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, using kidnappings, extortion, and violence to dominate much of the population. Haiti’s police force, weakened by corruption and a lack of resources, struggles to respond effectively. Vigilante groups have increasingly stepped in to defend neighborhoods, especially in more affluent areas like Pétion-Ville.
The violence has prompted international alarm. Doctors Without Borders suspended operations in Haiti, citing the inability to guarantee staff safety. The United Nations has warned that the latest bloodshed signals worsening instability.
Haiti’s transitional government has faced criticism for its inability to curb gang violence. French President Emmanuel Macron recently called the council’s members “total morons” for dismissing Prime Minister Garry Conille after only five months. Haiti’s foreign ministry summoned the French ambassador to protest Macron’s remarks.
The newly appointed prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, has vowed to restore order. However, efforts to stabilize Haiti have seen limited progress. A Kenya-led multinational police force has been deployed but faces funding and logistical challenges.
