Haitian gang leader warns residents to stay indoors ahead of police confrontation
Key Points(5)
- Starting this Monday, November 17, 2025, unless absolutely necessary, do not go out.
- All drivers’ unions, stay home.
- All public transport drivers, stay home.
- We are announcing this without taking drastic measures, in order to inform the public about what will happen, to prevent them from becoming victims.
- Those who don’t need to, do not go out into the streets.
The leader of the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue,” has called on residents of Port-au-Prince to remain indoors as his group prepares to confront law enforcement in the streets of the Haitian capital.
In a video message released Sunday, Chérizier warned that the Haitian National Police (PNH) has suspended all leave and vacations for officers until further notice.
“This message is addressed to the Haitian people in general. Starting this Monday, November 17, 2025, unless absolutely necessary, do not go out. All drivers’ unions, stay home. All public transport drivers, stay home. We are announcing this without taking drastic measures, in order to inform the public about what will happen, to prevent them from becoming victims. Those who don’t need to, do not go out into the streets. Leave the streets to ‘Viv Ansanm’ and the police so that we can confront them,” Chérizier said.
He added, “If you ignore this and go out, we are not responsible for what might happen to you. The time has come, Haitian people, to unite to liberate this country.”
Chérizier’s warning follows a large-scale joint operation earlier this month by the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) targeting the “400 Mawozo” criminal gang. The operation focused on the communes of Tabarre and Croix-des-Bouquets, areas north of Port-au-Prince that authorities say were under gang control.
Last Friday, specialized units conducted a coordinated, intelligence-led raid against leaders and members of the “400 Mawozo,” seizing a significant arsenal of weapons and increasing police presence in the previously controlled neighborhoods.
According to PNH spokesman Inspector Garry Desrosiers, at least seven gang members were fatally wounded and numerous others were injured. Several assault weapons and ammunition were confiscated, including a .50 caliber American Barrett rifle—a high-precision sniper weapon capable of hitting targets up to 2,800 meters away and penetrating steel plates two centimetres thick.
Desrosiers confirmed that no security personnel were injured during the operation.
