Jimmy Cherizier: US offers $5 million reward for Haitian gang leader
Jimmy Cherizier
The United States has announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier, wanted for allegedly violating US sanctions. Cherizier, 48, and Bazile Richardson—who was recently arrested in Texas—face charges related to conspiring to transfer funds from the US to support gang activities in Haiti, according to the Justice Department.
Cherizier, a former policeman and head of the “G9 Family” gang alliance, has been sanctioned by the US Treasury since 2020 and the UN since 2022. His gang is accused of serious crimes including murder, extortion, kidnappings, and drug trafficking. The gang’s violent actions contributed to political upheaval last year, resulting in the resignation of Haiti’s prime minister.
Authorities allege Cherizier used funds raised from the Haitian diaspora in the US to pay gang members and buy weapons. Despite efforts by a Kenyan-led multinational force, violence continues to escalate in Haiti, which remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
US officials emphasized their commitment to combating criminal gang fundraising within the United States and disrupting the violence fueling instability in Haiti.
