Haitian police crack down on gangs in the capital

Haitian police confiscated weapons and removed barricades in a neighborhood controlled by gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier in the capital Port-au-Prince.

Haitian police official Lionel Lazarre said that on the evening of March 15, the country's police force entered the Delmas neighborhood in the capital Port-au-Prince, which is controlled by notorious Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier.

Officers exchanged gunfire with Cherizier's gang members, confiscated their guns and removed barricades in the neighborhood. Lazarre said several "thugs" were killed.

"Police are implementing a new strategy aimed at rehabilitating areas occupied by gangs and allowing people to move freely," Haitian police said in a statement.

Haitian police on the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince on March 7. Photo: AFP

Haitians have been waiting in recent days for a new government that can restore stability to a country ravaged by gang violence and largely isolated from the world . Many hope the new transition council can fill the void left by outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Mr Henry resigned earlier this week after weeks of violence by gangs on the island nation, which controls 80% of the capital.

Haiti has been in crisis for years, and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise has added to the chaos. According to a political agreement signed after Moise's assassination, Haiti would hold elections and Prime Minister Henry would transfer power to the elected leader by February 7, 2024. However, Henry postponed the election indefinitely, citing the need to restore security to ensure voters could cast their ballots freely and fairly.

Violence escalated in the capital Port-au-Prince on February 29, after Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer and now a notorious gang leader in Haiti, called on armed groups to launch a coordinated attack to overthrow Prime Minister Henry.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP )

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