The Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (Haitian Creole: Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye) is a federation of 12 gangs led by former Haitian police officer Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier, notorious for extrajudicial massacres.[1] The G9, along with other affiliated gangs, controls over 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince.[2]
Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye | |
| Founded | June 2020 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jimmy Chérizier |
| Years active | June 2020–present |
| Territory | Port-au-Prince, Haiti |
| Ethnicity | Haitians |
| Activities | Murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping, political corruption, contract killing |
| Allies | Haitian Tèt Kale Party, Zoe Pound, Zoe Nation, Zoe Mafia Family |
In March 2024, the gang was involved in a jailbreak that led to more than 4,700 prisoners escaping, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.[3]
History
editThe G9 Family was founded by Chérizier in June 2020, with his own gang, the Delmas 95, being one of the founding members. The G9 originally had only nine gangs, but it soon expanded to 12.[4]
The G9 has a rivalry with fellow Haitian gang G-Pep. In 2022, clashes between it and G-Pep led to "at least 50 dead and more than 50 wounded" in just 4 days in Port-au-Prince.[5]
Activities
edit
The G9 had a relationship with assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, having received weapons, police uniforms, and other support even after Chérizier's dismissal from the police force.[1] The G9 also has a rivalry with fellow Haitian gang G-Pep, having fought with them. The gang is well-armed and capable of using unmanned aerial vehicles.[6] They have access to a variety of illegal weapons, mostly from the United States, giving them more firepower than the police.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "G9 and Family". InSight Crime. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Gangs in Haiti try to seize control of main airport in newest attack on key government sites". AP News. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Hu, Caitlin Stephen (12 March 2024). "Haiti's leader to resign as gangs run rampant through country engulfed in crisis". CNN. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Who's behind Haiti's powerful gang alliance?". PBS NewsHour. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Dozens dead, injured in Haiti's capital in gang clashes". AP News. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian (13 March 2024). "Who are Haiti's gangs and what do they want? All you need to know". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Haiti: Gangs have 'more firepower than the police'". news.un.org. United Nations. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.