In a dramatic turn of events, the Haitian government has disclosed that a major operation is underway in a sprawling shantytown under the command of the notorious gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue. Reports indicate that a number of gang members have met their demise in the Lower Delmas region of Port-au-Prince, the capital city.
Eye-witnesses have reported the use of military drones armed with explosives in the ongoing operation, illustrating the gravity of the situation. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé commended the initiative, crediting a specialized task force established just two days prior to combat the prevailing sense of insecurity.
Chérizier, aged 47, stands at the helm of Viv Ansam (Live Together), a formidable coalition of gangs that exert significant control over various parts of the city. Speculation looms regarding the involvement of Kenyan police officers, who were dispatched to Haiti last year to aid in the fight against criminal elements, in the current security sweep.
The recent unfortunate incident involving a Kenyan police officer, part of the Multinational Security Support mission, who lost his life in a clash with gang members, underscores the perilous conditions that have beset Port-au-Prince. The pervasive grip of gangs has not only precipitated a breakdown of law and order but has also precipitated a severe strain on essential services, exacerbating a crisis in food security.
Tragically, the toll of gang-related violence in the beleaguered nation of Haiti for the year 2024 has already surpassed 5,500 lives lost, leaving over a million individuals displaced from their homes. Against this backdrop of turmoil, the transitional presidential council, established to reinstate democratic governance, has struggled to make tangible progress towards organizing the long-overdue elections.
The unfolding events in the heart of Port-au-Prince serve as a stark reminder of the pervasive unrest and challenges that continue to afflict Haiti, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to restore stability and security to the embattled nation.
