Haitian Gang Warlord ‘Barbecue’ Loses Commander ‘Ti Greg’, He Jumped Out of Prison During Gunfight As Fears of Bloody Coup Grow

World

Notorious warlord Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier has lost a top commander in a firefight just as it is feared he is preparing to launch a bloody coup.

Ti Greg, the boss of the Delmas 95 gang, was released from prison in a prison mass prison break earlier this month, ushering in and propelling a new dawn of gang-led violence Haiti on the edge of the abyss.

Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier has lost a top gang commander - a setback in his mission to overthrow Haiti's government — Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier has lost a top gang commander – a setback in his mission to overthrow Haiti’s government

Thousands have been killed in mounting chaos and violence in Haiti as gangs seek to extend their grip on Port-au-PrinceCredit: Reuters

The Haitian National Police released a photo of Ti Greg – also known as Ernst Julme – who was killed in a shootout with police on ThursdayCredit: Twitter / @pnh_officiel

A gang leader and other suspected gangsters were killed by vigilantes on Wednesday

Bodies pile up in the streets of Port-au-Prince embroiled in all-out civil war between more than 200 gangs, a weak police force and more recently civilian-led death squads.

Thousands have been killed this month amid widespread reports of murder, rape, arson and kidnappings, as the once warring gangs have loosely banded together to lead coordinated attacks.

Ti Greg, aka Ernst Julme – a leader within Barbecue‘s ‘Viv Ansanm’ alliance – had recently escaped from Haiti’s largest prison on March 2 in a massive gang-led escape.

However, his death at the hands of Haitian police marks a setback for the armed gangs’ attempts to take over more of Port-au-Prince.

However, Barbecue, a 47-year-old former elite agent who heads the capital’s most feared gang coalition, appears undaunted in his mission to overthrow Haiti’s shaky government.

The murderous crime boss Rumor has it that he earned his nickname because he set his victims on fire and presided over a long reign of terror over the poorest parts of the city.

But in the wake of recent violence, he is now fighting for full control of the small Caribbean island of 11 million people.

He has conquered territory eagerly and ruthlessly and now rumors are circulating that the allied gangs are preparing for a coordinated attack – in the coming days – to seize power. The times reports.

Ti Greg’s murder comes two days after the other gang leader was murdered by vigilantes in a brutal attack in the chic Petion-Ville district.

After a lengthy gun battle, gang boss Makandal and two suspected gang members were murdered, mutilated and burned in the street.

Locals, including children, were filmed cheering loudly at the site of his smoldering body and their anger was evident as they set fire to his house and belongings.

Rapper turned Haitian warlord ‘Izo’ and took on ‘Barbecue’ to gain control of the world’s most dangerous city with the ‘5 Seconds’ gang

The creepy group of locals appear to be fighting back against the heavily armed criminal groups that have besieged the capital and claimed control of 90 percent of it.

The eastern suburb, once considered a safe zone in the violence-wracked city and filled with embassies, is being swept up in the carnage as the gangs expand their territories.

As gun battles raged through the streets, terrified residents barricaded themselves in their homes, while more than 18 deaths were reported in Pention-Ville on Wednesday.

Police and locals reported the deadly clash as evidence of a resurgence of the Bwa Kale vigilante movement, which reportedly struck again yesterday, killing one person.

Jimmy 'Barbecue' Chérizier leads the most dangerous gang coalitions in Haiti's capital — Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier leads the most dangerous gang coalitions in Haiti’s capitalCredit: AFP

Violence in Port-au-Prince has reached unprecedented levels and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been caught in the crossfireCredit: AFP

Thousands have been murdered, raped, mutilated and kidnappedCredit: AFP

A drone image of Haiti's National Penitentiary, where Ti Greg came from with 4,000 others on March 2 — A drone image of Haiti’s National Penitentiary, where Ti Greg came from with 4,000 others on March 2Credit: Reuters

Lawless state

For over two years Warring parties have torn Port-au-Prince apart and every day turned into a fight for survival.

But Haiti has been rocked by a wave of unrest since February Armed groups invaded a prisonreleasing more than 5,000 prisoners, and demanding that Prime Minister Ariel Henry resign.

After weeks of anarchy, the de facto prime minister said he would step down last week – a demand from the increasingly powerful and united gangs.

However, the unprecedented violence continues as Henry remains stranded outside the country.

The state has been largely absent during the violence and Haiti’s outgunned and outgunned police are ill-equipped against the gangs seeking to expand their territorial control over the capital.

Plans for one international security missionrequested by Henry in 2022, remain on hold.

The US estimates that about a thousand of its citizens are stuck in the Caribbean country as the military works to evacuate them.

The capital’s port and airport continue to be blockaded by gangs, while police stations, public buildings and other state facilities are under attack.

The violence has worsened an already grim humanitarian situation, with warnings of famine, malnutrition and the collapse of basic services.

According to aid agencies, more than 1.5 million Haitians are at risk of famine and 360,000 Haitians – half of whom are children – have been displaced.

Philippe Branchat, head of the International Organization for Migration, said in a statement: “People living in the capital are locked up, with nowhere to go.

“The capital is surrounded by armed groups and danger. It is a city under siege.”