The country of Haiti is experiencing a state of emergency due to the presence of a criminal leader named Barbecue and his group of escaped inmates.

Groups of armed individuals have attempted to take over Haiti’s primary international airport, engaging in gunfire with law enforcement and military members in the most recent assault on important government locations.

There has been a surge of violent events in the nation, including a large-scale breakout from the country’s prisons.

The attack took place while the Toussaint Louverture International Airport was closed, with no flights or passengers present.

This attack on the airport in Haiti is the largest in its history.

The airport experienced temporary gunfire last week during ongoing gang conflicts, but the gangs did not enter or take control of the airport.

The assault happened soon after officials in Haiti implemented a curfew at night due to conflicts where armed gang members took control of the country’s largest prisons and released numerous prisoners over the past weekend.

A state of emergency lasting 72 hours began on Sunday evening. The government has announced plans to locate the escaped prisoners, many of whom were awaiting trial, and some of whom are facing charges of murder, kidnapping, and other offenses.

Patrick Boivert, the current prime minister, has issued a statement instructing the police to utilize any lawful methods available to them in order to implement the curfew and capture all those who violate this order.

Gangs already were estimated to control up to 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince. They are increasingly co-ordinating their actions and choosing once unthinkable targets such as the Central Bank.

Last week, Prime Minister Ariel Henry went overseas in an attempt to secure backing for a UN-sponsored security force that would aid in stabilizing Haiti during its ongoing conflict with highly influential criminal organizations.

According to the United Nations, the National Police of Haiti consists of approximately 9,000 officers whose responsibility is to ensure the safety of over 11 million individuals. However, they are frequently faced with situations where they are outnumbered and outmatched in terms of weaponry.

The deadly weekend marked a new low in Haiti’s downwards spiral of violence. At least nine people had been killed since Thursday – four of them police officers – as gangs stepped up co-ordinated attacks on state institutions in Port-au-Prince, including the national football stadium.

The assault at the National Penitentiary on Saturday evening was a jarring event for Haitians who are used to enduring the pervasive danger of aggression.

Approximately 4,000 prisoners managed to escape. On Sunday, three individuals were found dead with gunshot wounds at the entrance of the prison.

18 ex-Colombian soldiers who have been accused of acting as mercenaries in the killing of Haitian president Jovenel Moise in July 2021 have decided to remain in jail, along with a small group of others.

One of the men, Francisco Uribe, pleaded for help through a message that was circulated on social media. He stated, “They are senselessly killing people in the cells.”

The foreign ministry of Colombia has urged Haiti to offer “unique safeguarding” for the individuals.

Another prison in Port-au-Prince, housing approximately 1,400 inmates, was also taken over.

Multiple areas in the city reported gunfire, and a significant number of citizens experienced internet outages due to a damaged cable connection caused by the violent outburst, according to Haiti’s major mobile network.

The United States embassy in Haiti has announced that, after

Following the recent incident of gangs shooting at Haiti’s international airport, the US embassy has suspended all official travel to the country and is asking American citizens to leave as promptly as possible. The embassy of the United States in Haiti has declared that, subsequent to

The Biden administration is closely monitoring the security situation in Haiti with serious concern. They have provided financial and logistical assistance but have not agreed to send troops as part of a multinational force.

The increase in assault incidents occurred after the escalation of violent demonstrations, resulting in more casualties in the past few days. This coincided with the prime minister’s trip to Kenya, where he aimed to progress with plans for a UN-supported security intervention to be led by the East African nation.

Jimmy Cherizier, a former highly ranked member of the police force known as “Barbecue” who currently leads a group of gangs, has taken accountability for the recent increase in assaults. He stated that their objective is to capture the police chief and government officials of Haiti, and prevent Mr Henry from coming back.

The neurosurgeon who serves as prime minister has disregarded demands for his resignation and remained silent when questioned about his sense of safety in returning home.

Some of the most influential gang leaders in Haiti have expressed their intention to overthrow Henry.

The country has been unable to conduct parliamentary and general elections in recent times and there are currently no elected representatives. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, Henry was instated as prime minister with support from the global community. In February, a new wave of violence erupted after Henry made a promise to hold much-awaited general elections by mid-2025.

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Henry’s location was not made known on Monday. When questioned in Kenya about the safety of returning to Haiti, Henry nonchalantly dismissed the safety concerns.

Former top police officer Jimmy Chirizier, also known as “Barbecue,” who holds a significant position as one of Haiti’s most influential gang leaders, declared that he will make an attempt to apprehend the head of the country’s police force and government officials, in the midst of attacks on various infrastructures by armed individuals.

Four law enforcement officers lost their lives during an attack on their stations.

Last summer, Cherizier stated that he would oppose any foreign military group that engages in wrongdoing and encouraged Haitians to take action against the government.

Additional leaders of rival gangs seem to have played a role in the recent assaults as well.

Johnson Andrï, also known by his nickname “Izo” and as the leader of the notorious 5 Seconds gang, was captured in a TikTok video brandishing a weighty mallet in his right hand while simulating a punch to his face with his left hand.

Izo’s crew is recognized as a friend of G-Pep, who is the rival of the Barbecue gang union. However, there have been changes in these alliances lately.

Last month, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime published a report stating that the formation of alliances is constantly changing for gangs.

The article also mentioned that only the strongest gangs, such as Izo’s or Chïrizier’s, are typically capable of conducting business or making profits outside of their designated territories.

Barbecue is leader of a gang federation known as G9 Family and Allies, and he has previously launched powerful attacks that have crippled the country. In late 2022, he seized control of an area surrounding a key fuel terminal in the capital of Port-au-Prince for almost two months.

According to estimates, there are approximately 200 gangs present in Haiti, and it is believed that 23 primary ones are active in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince.

In previous years, they had authority over approximately 60% of the financial assets, but now they have expanded their control to 80%, as reported by U.N. representatives.

Illegal weapons and payments to kidnappers have allowed criminal groups to gain more financial autonomy, which has amplified their influence due to the government’s decline and insufficiently supported law enforcement cannot manage.

According to the Global Initiative report, current gangs possess a significantly greater level of military capability compared to those from ten years ago. This increase is primarily due to their ability to obtain advanced weapons.

According to a 2023 United Nations report, weapons that were seized and intended for Haitian ports included “.50 caliber sniper rifles, .308 rifles, and even machine guns that are fed through a belt.”

Source: independent.co.uk