The UN sanctions ‘Barbacoa’, the main gang leader in Haiti

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday calls for an immediate cessation of acts of violence and criminal activity in Haiti, imposing sanctions against the most powerful gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbecue.

“The Security Council has just adopted a resolution targeting the criminal actors in Haiti who have been undermining stability and increasing poverty. This is only a first step. We can and must do more to respond to the Haitian people’s calls for help.” ” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a tweet.

The resolution had been co-sponsored for days by the US and Mexico, who they had postponed the vote for today seeking that the text could be revised and obtain more support among the members of the Council.

The vote resulted in a successful 15-0 with all member countries approving.

Thomas-Greenfield declared immediately after the vote that a second resolution is in the works that will help restore security in Haiti.

The Caribbean country has already been facing weak political stability after the assassination of premier Jovenel Moise in 2021, but last September the current prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced the elimination of fuel subsidies and caused prices to double.

Gangs then blocked the entrance to the Varreux fuel terminal, leading to a severe fuel shortage at a time when clean water is also scarce and the country is grappling with a deadly cholera outbreak.

The first person targeted by the sanctions is Jimmy Cherizier, better known as Barbecuewho is the head of the groups, organized in a coalition called G9 Family and Allies.

The sanctions contained in the resolution passed Friday effectively block travel bans and an arms embargo against anyone who threatens the peace and stability of Haiti.

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