Haiti’s government has revealed that police have launched a large-scale operation in an area controlled by powerful gang leader Jimmy Chérizier alias Barbecue.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé said the operation conducted on March 1 targeted the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, which is one of Barbecue’s strongholds.
He said several gang members were arrested and others killed during the operation.
Reports indicated that military drones carrying explosives were being used in the operation.
Fils-Aimé said the operation was the work of a special task force created two days ago to tackle insecurity.
“The Task Force recently created by the Prime Minister’s Office and the CPT is in full operation at the bottom of Delmas, in the stronghold of the gang leader Barbecue, as he is known. As part of this intervention, several bandits were arrested,” the Prime Minister said.
BBC reported that Barbecue was among the gang members caught in the crossfire in the deadly operation.
Barbecue, aged 47, is the feared leader of Viv Ansam (Live Together), a coalition of gangs that control much of the city.
He has been accused of leading a massacre in 2018 in which scores of people were killed and masterminding the 2021 blockade of the Varreux fuel terminal.
According to multiple media reports, the former officer of the Haitian National Police (HNP) has been linked to various human rights violations and fatal attacks against civilians.
Kenyan Police Officer Killed in Haiti
This comes after a Kenyan police officer who was part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) was killed in an operation on February 23, 2025.
MSSM said the officer died while receiving treatment at Aspen Level 2 Hospital.
MSSM said the officer was injured during an operation at Pont Sonde, in the Artibonite department.
Also Read: Family of Police Officer Who Died in Haiti Speaks
The Mission said the officer was evacuated to LEVEL 2 hospital at LSA 1, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the incident, stating that the security team came under fire from suspected gang members while on patrol.
Also Read: Why Ruto Wants Haiti to Be Part of Africa
“The officer sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries,” NPS said.
NPS stated that they had notified the deceased’s family and assured them of their support.
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