Haitain militia leader ‘Barbecue’ escapes police ambush

Cherizier, a former Haitian police officer, is the leader of the Viv Ansamn revolutionary group who has repeatedly argued that his fight is against neo-colonialism led by clandestine operatives in the United States and France.

However, an international security team led by Kenya and which also includes security personnel from Jamaica and other Caribbean nations, have been deployed to the besieged French-speaking nation in a bid to restore peace and democracy.

Amid rising crime and violence in the country’s capital Port-au-Prince, ‘Barbecue’ is seen as the arch enemy or force de resistance in the mission of the security forces.

The east Africa media outlet says Sunday’s latest attempt to get at Barbecue was the second in three days following extensive reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of the terrain.

Confirming the raid with Godfrey Otunge, commander in charge of the multinational security support (MSS) mission, it reported that Nairobi will be sending an additional 600 police to the Caribbean island taking its overall total to 1000 Kenyan officers to bolster the current battalion.

The outlet did not say how many and if any of Cherizier’s men were captured, injured or possibly killed.

Haiti has been grappling with persistent political instability since the 2010 earthquake. In 2021, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse further exacerbated the situation. His death plunged the country into an even deeper political crisis, with different factions vying for power. Meanwhile, gang violence has become increasingly prevalent, with gangs controlling large portions of the capital and other areas. The political vacuum, combined with economic challenges and the rise of criminal activity, has created a climate of fear and instability.

Haiti remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the crises have contributed to its chronic underdevelopment. A lack of infrastructure, corruption, and dependence on foreign aid have stifled growth. The population faces dire poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, and regular natural disasters, including hurricanes and droughts. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen as a result of political instability, gang violence, and economic decline.

Haiti's crises are deeply interconnected, with each period of turmoil feeding into the next. The country has a long history of political instability, foreign intervention, economic hardship, and social unrest. Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of resilience within the Haitian people, and many organizations, both local and international, continue to work towards improving the country's future. However, the path forward remains uncertain, as political solutions, security, and development efforts continue to face significant hurdles.