Port-au-Prince (EFE).- Following law enforcement offensives in Haiti, Jimmy Cherisier, the gang leader and spokesperson for the armed coalition Viv Ansanm (Living Together), also known as “Barbecue,” asked the population to stay home starting Monday so that the gangs can confront the police and “avoid becoming victims.”
“This message is addressed to the Haitian people in general. Starting Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, unless it is necessary, do not go out. All drivers, stay home. All public transportation drivers should do the same,” said the former policeman-turned-gang-boss in a message made public on Saturday through social media.
“We are announcing this without taking abrupt measures to inform people of what is going to happen and prevent them from becoming victims. Those who don’t need to should not go out on the street. Leave the streets to Viv Ansanm and the police, who will come to confront us,” added “Barbecue” in his message.
This declaration of reprisals comes after the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), and the Gang Repression Force (FRG) launched a broad joint operation a few days ago against the 400 Mawozo group. This group has held the municipalities of Tabarre and Croix des Bouquets, north of Port-au-Prince, hostage for years.
During the operation, police seized a Barrett rifle and other weapons, as well as a heavy machine gun used by gangs to destroy public infrastructure.
“If you ignore this warning and go out, we are not responsible for what may happen to you. The time has come, Haitian people, to unite and free this country,” stated the gang leader wanted by the PNH.
Insecurity caused by gangs
The number of people displaced by violence and instability in Haiti reached “unprecedented levels” in 2025, with over 1.4 million forced to flee their homes, the highest figure ever recorded in the country, according to a report published in October by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Since the beginning of 2022, over 16,000 people have died due to gang violence in Haiti, with more than 4,000 homicides occurring in the first half of 2025 alone, according to official information.
On Sep. 30, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution co-sponsored by the United States and Panama to deploy the Gang Elimination Force (GSF) to the Caribbean country, following the poor results of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM).
Backed by the Haitian government, the GSF will consist of a maximum of 5,500 police or military personnel assisted by 50 civilians and will have an initial mandate of 12 months. EFE
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