Haiti has long been a country polarized by the disparities between the citizens and the economic conditions placed on the country. Before Haiti’s independence, they were a slave colony of France and subjected to their rule and monetary restrictions. When Haiti gained independence, the government was forced to pay back France for everything it had destroyed in the fight for freedom. As time progressed, Haiti slowly became one of the poorest nations in the world and very dependent on economic investment and external revenue; with the government being unable to provide essential services for the people, gangs rose to power during the various political vacuums that took place in the duration of the country’s existence.
While the gangs in Haiti have always been present, in recent weeks, they have grown to be a prominent media topic, with armed gang members taking over prisons, police stations, and other institutions in the capital of Port-au-Prince. These attacks on valuable infrastructure in the city have paralyzed the already weak city, leaving it in the hands of those with their interests in mind. While the government still maintains some power level, comparing control in the capital is striking. Port-au-Prince, a city on the coast, has a population of around 3.1 million people, and this number is steadily increasing.
One of the most prominent gangs in Haiti, and the one leading the charge on the violence, is G9 Family and Allies Alliance, which is more commonly referred to as “G9.” This gang is led by the infamous Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier. Barbecue, as he is known, was a former police officer in Haiti, but today is under a multitude of sanctions from a variety of parties, including the UN and the United States, for his role in Haitian violence. After the 2021 assassination of Prime Minister Moise, Cherizier and his gang began leading a series of attacks across the country in an effort to fill the new power vacuum, but their efforts were unsuccessful. G9, while unable to fill the vacuum, has still been able to play a role in governing how decisions are made through various means. One of their most successful tactics has been stopping fuel transportation to Port-au-Prince. In 2022, the gang blockaded a fuel terminal in the capital, forcing many hospitals to cut back on operations and creating a near-humanitarian disaster. Many of the actions taken by Barbecue and G9 recently have been tools to move the new Prime Minister, Henry, to step down from his position.
Gang violence has always been a significant part of the country, but the government forces who are fighting against it were the same ones who created this system in the first place. In the aftermath of the 1990 coup, many of the leaders who sought power partnered with the gangs to gain more power. Tactics used to gain power included threats, kidnappings, and murders. This fed the cycle of gang violence because political leaders needed allies to provide resources of money and political and military support. This support led to an increased discussion of what the gangs were, the growing polarization of groups who used their support and those who did not, and what gangs were used. With money coming in from illegal or informal channels, the economy of the country is collapsing and forcing many to rely on gangs to finance the social welfare of the country, perpetuating a cycle of gang support and government distrust. This support for the gangs, in turn, leads to many joining gangs as a means of financial capital or a way to escape the circumstances they are in, as formal lines of work are often non-existent or corrupt.
While one gang is leading the charge in gang control, many other groups are trying to get power. The two main gangs in the play are G9 and 5 Sengonn Gang, both of which have varied means of supporting and spreading information. The leader of the 5 Sengonn Gang is a 26-year-old named Izo, who many suspect has the same power or even more power than Barbecue. Much of this support comes from his method of dispersing information. Izo, due to his age and younger following, has become well-versed in social media and has posted music videos that spread his message. This tactic is remarkably effective as it plays into the main themes of his target group, where Barbecue uses social media to post his beliefs without anything going with the message. The clash of these groups has led to a polarized and divided climate within the country, leading to more danger and forcing many to leave.
