Gang Dominance Escalates as Prime Targets are Attacked Amidst Shifting Alliances – Sky Bulletin

The escalating influence of gangs in Haiti has led to recent assaults on prisons and the capital’s airport, prompting closures of businesses and schools, and has driven hundreds to flee.

In Haiti’s capital, gangs now control approximately 80% of the territory, overpowering the country’s frail government, a United Nations report states.

Initiated last Thursday, these aggressive actions coincided with Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s departure to Kenya with intentions of advocating for a U.N.-endorsed police unit to counteract the gang violence.

Constant heavy gunfire throughout the capital has overwhelmed government security forces. National Police Director Frantz Elbé recently expressed to Radio Caraïbes the extreme challenges faced by his officers in responding to these violent encounters.

“The city center was at war,” he disclosed.

To address the surge in violence, officials have instituted a three-day nighttime curfew starting Monday. However, many residents had already been self-imposing a curfew for their safety.

Important facts to understand the current chaos in Haiti:

What is prompting the recent surge of violence in Haiti?

The aim of prominent gang leaders is the overthrow of Henry’s government. Haiti has been unable to conduct essential parliamentary and general elections in recent years, leading to a complete absence of elected representatives. Henry assumed his position with international backing following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The recent violence spiked after Henry committed to organizing long-awaited general elections by mid-2025 at the end of February.

Significant prison breaks occurred on Saturday, with gunmen overtaking the primary penitentiary and an adjacent one in Port-au-Prince, releasing over 4,700 inmates and leaving several dead.

Henry’s exact location remained undisclosed as of Monday. When asked in Kenya about his safety upon returning to Haiti, Henry’s only response was a shrug.

Who is behind the latest gang-led assaults in Haiti?

Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue,” a former notable police officer now regarded as Haiti’s most influential gang leader, declared intentions to overthrow the police chief and government ministers during the onslaughts on infrastructure.

Police stations came under attack, resulting in the death of four officers.

Last summer, Cherizier stated his opposition to any international armed intervention, calling on Haitians to resist the government.

Other gang figureheads are also implicated in the recent turmoil.

Appearing in a TikTok video, Johnson André, alias “Izo” and 5 Seconds gang leader, is seen displaying aggression, symbolizing the volatile atmosphere. Izo’s gang is currently aligned with G-Pep, against Barbecue’s G9 Family and Allies, but alliances seem to be shifting rapidly.

A recent analysis by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime remarked on the volatility of gang alliances and noted the dominance of certain gangs, such as those led by Izo and Chérizier.

Last year, Barbecue’s successful siege of a vital fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince for almost two months highlighted his gang’s capabilities.

Why are gangs in Haiti so formidable?

Haiti is home to around 200 gangs, with 23 major ones operating within the urban sprawl of Port-au-Prince.

Previously maintaining control of around 60% of the capital, their dominion has now grown to 80%, per U.N. officials. Access to smuggled firearms and ransoms from kidnappings have financially bolstered the gangs, enhancing their autonomy and influence as the national government weakens and the underfunded police struggle to contain them.

“Present-day gangs have substantially more military capability than those from a decade ago,” the Global Initiative report points out. Significant weaponry, including sniper and belt-fed machine guns, have been intercepted en route to Haitian ports as per the 2023 U.N. report.

How is the Haitian government addressing the intensified violence?

Patrick Boivert, the Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister, declared a state of emergency on Sunday evening. An evening curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Monday, was part of the government’s strategy to reclaim control.

“Police were ordered to employ all legal means available for curfew enforcement and to detain offenders,” stated Boivert.