Overview:
A brand new Worldwide Disaster Group report examines how Haiti’s highly effective gang coalition Viv Ansanm, led by the FIB fugitive Jimmy “Barcue” Chérizier, makes use of populist rhetoric, social media and symbolic gestures to painting itself as a defender of the poor towards “corrupt oligarchs” whereas searching for political recognition and amnesty. The report warns that amid political instability and the upcoming expiration of the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate, gangs might search to put in allies inside the authorities to guard their pursuits.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitian gangs are more and more utilizing populist rhetoric, historic symbolism and social media to painting themselves as defenders of the poor whereas pursuing political recognition and amnesty, in response to a brand new report printed Monday, Dec. 15, by the Worldwide Disaster Group (ICG).
The report focuses on Viv Ansanm, a robust gang coalition led by FBI fugitive Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, and warns that amid deepening instability and a looming management vacuum, armed teams are repositioning themselves not simply as felony actors — however as political stakeholders. The report means that the coalition’s technique is much less about justice and extra about survival: securing affect, avoiding prosecution, and putting allies inside authorities.
Gangs shift from elite enforcers to self-styled political actors searching for energy and safety
Based mostly on greater than 300 interviews carried out between February 2022 and November 2025, the report traces how gangs have advanced from being instruments of political and financial elites to impartial teams exerting territorial management via violence.
As their energy has expanded, gang leaders have adopted overtly political messaging, casting themselves as nationalists preventing towards Haiti’s entrenched elites — a lot of whom as soon as funded or protected them.
“The gangs are more and more attempting to border their wrestle as motivated by social injustice,” the report stated.
“Viv Ansanm claims to defend probably the most deprived and does so utilizing a collection of symbols evoking Haiti’s historical past of resistance to oppression.”
“Viv Ansanm claims to defend probably the most deprived and does so utilizing a collection of symbols evoking Haiti’s historical past of resistance to oppression.”
Worldwide Disaster Group
Chérizier, the coalition’s most seen and vocal determine, has been central to the messaging. By means of social media movies and statements, he rallies help towards the political and enterprise institution, aiming to reshape public notion. Though gang leaders livestream lower than earlier than, they continue to be extremely lively on-line and sometimes seem unmasked — a sign of each confidence and a need for legitimacy.
Viv Ansanm now presents itself as a political motion able to fielding candidates, regardless of missing authorized recognition. Its populist outreach consists of distributing cash and items, putting in electrical energy in underserved neighborhoods, and handing out college provides — even because the group continues to make use of violence to keep up management.
“Haitian gangs have mutated from being instruments within the palms of probably the most highly effective to overlords of the nation,” stated Diego Da Rin, the ICG’s Haiti analyst. “Whereas they proceed their violent enlargement and revenue on the expense of Haitian folks, they’re making an attempt to rebrand themselves as defenders of the poorest.
Amnesty as the last word goal in a risky political second
Behind the populist messaging lies a transparent goal: amnesty.
Viv Ansanm has known as for dialogue with authorities and hopes to safe ensures that may shield gang leaders and their allies from prosecution. The report identifies former insurgent and drug convict Man Philippe because the political determine most overtly aligned with the gangs, citing his public help for amnesty for each armed teams and elites linked to them.
“The gangs are calling for the beginning of negotiations, hoping to safe the appointment of their allies inside the authorities in addition to get hold of amnesty for themselves.”
Worldwide Disaster Group
Based on the worldwide battle prevention group, beneath former Prime Minister Garry Conille, Haiti appeared nearer to exploring talks with gangs, notably after he prompt that negotiations may observe the laying down of weapons. That risk light after Conille’s dismissal, prompting gangs to pursue negotiations independently, the report concludes.
In August, Viv Ansanm wrote to the U.N. secretary-general’s particular consultant in Haiti, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, arguing that the nation’s disaster may solely be resolved via dialogue and presenting their coalition as a unified negotiating accomplice.
The report warns that Haiti’s ongoing political instability — notably forward of the expiration of the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate on Feb. 7, 2026 — creates alternatives for gangs to develop their affect inside state establishments.
“Viv Ansanm will possible search to take advantage of this transitional interval to make sure that people keen to align with its members are included in any political configuration,” ICG states. “The gangs are calling for negotiations, hoping to safe the appointment of their allies inside the authorities in addition to get hold of amnesty for themselves.”