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A Gang Leader’s Perspective on Sovereignty
Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a former Haitian police officer turned gang leader, is no stranger to controversy. As the leader of the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies, Cherizier controls significant portions of Port-au-Prince and has been both vilified as a criminal and lauded by some as a community advocate.
In an interview published on Chris Must List, Cherizier presented himself as a revolutionary fighting systemic corruption and foreign exploitation. He criticized international powers, particularly the United States, Canada, and France, for what he described as their neocolonial role in Haiti.
The interview, filmed amid the escalating violence in Haiti, shed light on Cherizier’s view that the country is still in the grip of “slave-master dynamics” imposed by these nations.
Hope for a Trump Presidency
One of the most striking aspects of the interview was Cherizier’s remarks on Donald Trump. He suggested that Trump might adopt a different approach toward Haiti, allowing the country to determine its own political path.
“With Donald Trump, they’ll let Haiti decide for itself,” Cherizier said, contrasting Trump’s potential leadership with what he described as the Democrats’ history of imposing foreign-backed leadership in Haiti.
Cherizier accused the Democratic Party of perpetuating instability by installing unelected leaders and interfering in Haitian governance. He expressed hope that Trump would avoid the heavy-handed tactics that, according to him, have kept Haiti impoverished and politically unstable.
Criticism of Foreign Interference
Cherizier’s grievances extended to the presence of Kenyan-led multinational forces in Haiti, which he claimed were deployed to suppress local resistance rather than address systemic issues. He accused foreign governments of using Haiti as a geopolitical pawn and exploiting its natural resources.
He also criticized efforts to maintain Haiti’s reliance on imported goods, particularly food staples like rice, rather than supporting local agricultural development. “We have the resources to feed ourselves, but they won’t let us,” he claimed.
Cherizier called for a “second independence,” echoing Haiti’s historic fight against French colonial rule, to free the nation from what he described as modern-day economic and political enslavement.
A Divisive Figure
The interview portrayed Cherizier as a complex figure: a self-described protector of the poor and a vocal critic of corruption, but also a man accused of orchestrating violence and intimidation. He defended his leadership by highlighting community initiatives under his control, such as free schooling and crime reduction efforts.
Despite his claims of altruism, international organizations and human rights groups have linked Cherizier to atrocities, including massacres in marginalized neighborhoods. Cherizier denies these allegations, asserting that his enemies use media narratives to discredit him.
“International media is part of the system keeping Haiti oppressed,” he said during the interview, emphasizing that his fight is not against a particular race or class but against systemic inequality.
Implications for Haiti’s Future
Cherizier’s comments reflect a broader frustration among many Haitians who view foreign intervention as a barrier to progress. His remarks about Trump have added an unexpected layer to Haiti’s political discourse, underscoring the complexities of Haiti’s relationship with the United States and its allies.
While Cherizier’s critics argue that his actions have exacerbated instability, his supporters see him as a necessary disruptor in a deeply flawed system. The Chris Must List interview captured both sides of this debate, offering a rare glimpse into the motivations of one of Haiti’s most polarizing figures.
Find the full interview here.
