"Haiti's Escalating Gang Crisis: From Cop to Leader, Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier's Reign"

Former elite police officer turned gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier has claimed responsibility for a surge in violent attacks in Haiti, including an attempt to seize control of the main international airport. Gangs, estimated to control up to 80% of the capital, have targeted key government sites and infrastructure, leading to a rapidly deteriorating security situation. Prime Minister Ariel Henry's efforts to stabilize the country with a UN-backed security force have been hindered by the escalating power of crime groups. The gangs' increasing military capacity, fueled by smuggled firearms and ransom payments, has made them a formidable force in the absence of effective state control.