Haiti’s Gang Leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier Accuses Kenyan and Haitian Police of Brutality

In a recent TikTok video, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, the notorious Haitian gang leader, accused the Kenyan and Haitian national police of extreme brutality during a raid on his base. Cherizier, who leads one of Haiti's most feared gangs, claimed that the police forces stormed his stronghold, firing indiscriminately and deploying tear gas.
“The police didn’t stop,” Cherizier stated in the video. “They even came almost to the place that I was shooting and even used tear gas canisters.”
The incident highlights the ongoing violent confrontations between Haitian gangs and the joint police forces. The Kenyan police were recently deployed to Haiti as part of an international intervention to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) in combating gang violence and restoring order in the country.
Cherizier’s accusation of police brutality comes amid growing concerns about the effectiveness and human rights practices of the intervention. Haiti has been grappling with escalating gang violence, which has paralyzed parts of the country, with Cherizier's gang playing a prominent role in the turmoil. The allegations may further complicate the already tense situation, as the Haitian government and international community continue to seek solutions to stabilize the country.
The TikTok video has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many questioning the conduct of both the Haitian and Kenyan police forces during their operations.