Jimmy Chérizier
Jimmy Chérizier | |
|---|---|
Babekyou | |
Chérizier in 2024 | |
| Born | 30 March 1977 |
| Other names | "Barbecue" ("Babekyou") |
| Organization(s) | Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (Haitian Creole: Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye) |
| Title | Leader of Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies |
Jimmy Chérizier (French pronunciation: [dʒimi ʃeʁizje]; born 30 March 1977), nicknamed Barbecue (Haitian Creole: Babekyou), is a Haitian gang leader, former police officer, and warlord who is the head of the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (Haitian Creole: Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye), abbreviated as "G9" or "FRG9", a federation of over a dozen Haitian gangs based in Port-au-Prince. Known for often making public appearances in military camouflage and a beret, he calls himself the leader of an "armed revolution". Considered the most powerful warlord in Haiti, he is currently believed to be one of the country's most powerful political figures.
In early March 2024, the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies staged the largest jailbreak in Haitian history and escalated attacks across the country, including an attempted siege of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Chérizier claimed responsibility for the attacks and stated that the goal was to capture key government institutions, overthrow the unelected acting prime minister Ariel Henry and become more powerful in Haiti, warning that "if Ariel Henry doesn't step down and the international community continues to support him, they will lead us directly to a civil war which will end in genocide." Henry announced his intention to resign on 11 March 2024, and did so on 24 March of that year.