The United States has filed criminal charges against notorious Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, alias “Barbecue,” accusing him of raising funds in the US to finance violence in Haiti.
Federal prosecutors allege Cherizier and a 48-year-old American accomplice sought money from the Haitian diaspora to buy firearms in breach of US laws. The US government is now offering up to $5 million (Ksh 647 million) for information leading to his arrest.
Barbecue, a former Haitian police officer, is accused of murders, kidnappings, and attacks on government infrastructure. He is under UN, Canadian, and British sanctions.
The move is seen as a major boost for Kenyan police spearheading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti. MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka says Kenyan and Haitian forces have intensified security in Port-au-Prince, safeguarding critical infrastructure and enabling national exams to proceed without disruption.
If captured, Cherizier is expected to be extradited to the US to face multiple charges.