The head of the group of gangs organized in the so-called G9, Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier reported on Sunday that the work to unload fuel from the Varreux port terminal in Port-au-Prince can continue after an unexpected two-month interruption.
“Once again, the drivers and employees of the Varreux terminal can go down without fear,” Cherizier said in a video circulated online and shared by the media. “We have decided among ourselves (…) to allow the exit of the gas.”
In mid-September, the well-known gang leader blocked the entrance to the port terminal in the Haitian capital, in response to the elimination of fuel subsidies by the State, which brought a shortage that left hospitals and schools without functioning, different organizations denounced.
Police tried to break the fence On numerous occasions.
Barbecue denied that his decision was the result of negotiations with the Police, according to the local newspaper Le Nouvelliste.
Cherizier was singled out for sanctions by the government of the United States, after the representations of the United States and the government of Mexico promoted initiatives in the UN Security Council, an institution that has come to weigh a possible military intervention in the Caribbean island.
Accusations of alleged kidnappers
On Monday, the US Department of Justice reported the imposition of charges against three gang leaders who claimed responsibility of the kidnapping of 17 missionariesincluding a Canadian citizen and the other Americans, occurred in October 2021.
“When an American citizen is abducted abroad, the Justice Department will use the full reach of our law enforcement authorities against those responsible,” Attorney General Merrick Garland was quoted as saying in a statement.
Those implicated are Joseph Wilson, alias Lanmo Sanjou, and Jermaine Stephenson, alias Gaspiyay, in charge of the 400 Mawozo gang. The charges relate to hostage taking and conspiracy to commit hostage taking, the department said in a statement.
Another of those involved, known as Vitel’homme Innocent, and leader of a Kraze Barye gang, would have collaborated with 400 Mawozo to carry out the kidnapping.
The US State Department reported that it is offering a $3 million reward – one for each suspect – for information leading to the capture of the three defendants.
Gang actions have increased considerably on the island after of the assassination of the head of state Haitian, Juvenel Moise on July 7, 2021, a fact that is still unclarified.
[Parte de la información para este reporte provino de la agencia Reuters]
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