A US grand jury set its sight on one of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders, Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier, announcing a $5 million reward for his arrest after indicting Cherizier for heading a "wide-ranging conspiracy."

Port-au-Prince

The United States Justice Department has indicted Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue, a prominent Haitian gang leader, on charges of conspiracy. A $5 million reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest. Chérizier, a former elite police officer, is alleged to have organized massacres and united several gangs, which now reportedly control a significant portion of Haiti's capital. 

Chérizier and his associate Basile Richardson are accused of soliciting financial support from the Haitian diaspora to fund gang activities. Chérizier has denied the allegations on social media, asserting Richardson's innocence. Despite the indictment and bounty, critics question the effectiveness of these measures, as gang leaders remain active in their strongholds.

U.S. places $5 million reward for top Haiti gang leader's arrest

Haiti's top gang leader in the sights of the US Justice Department. A federal grand jury has indicted Jimmy Chérizier, better known as Barbecue, for what officials call a wide-ranging conspiracy, with Washington putting a $5 million bounty on his head. Anyone who is giving money to Chérizier, also known as Barbecue because of his violent acts in his home country, cannot say I didn't know that he was sanctioned by the US government. An elite Haitian police officer until his firing in 2018, Chérizier is alleged to have organized large-scale massacres in several Haitian slums. In 2020, he united nine of Pôle France's street gangs in an alliance that would later grow to control some 90% of the Haitian capital. Rights groups say its members are responsible for massacres, rapes, kidnapping, extortion and arson. Last year, France 24 reporters gained rare access to Chérizier in his stronghold. He told our team there would be no peace in Haiti without giving the gangs a share of power. The government won't be able to do anything consequential if there's no agreement with the armed groups. Also indicted is Chérizier's associate, Basile Richardson, aka Fredo Pam, who lives in the US state of North Carolina. Both are accused of soliciting money transfers from the Haitian diaspora to help pay for the weapons and salaries of gang members. Chérizier responded to the accusations with a post on social media. Basile Richardson, aka Fredo, is innocent. He has never sent any money to me to finance anything in Haiti. Critics say it's unclear what the latest indictment and bounty are likely to accomplish, noting that BBQ and other gang leaders continue to operate openly from strongholds in the capital.

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