The Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (Haitian Creole: Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye) is a federation of 12 gangs led by former Haitian police officer Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier, notorious for extrajudicial massacres.[1] The G9, along with other affiliated gangs, controls over 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince.[2]
In March 2024, the gang was involved in a jailbreak that led to more than 4,700 prisoners escaping, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.[3]
History
The G9 Family was founded by Chérizier in June 2020, with his own gang, the Delmas 95, being one of the founding members. The G9 originally had only nine gangs, but it soon expanded to 12.[4]
The G9 had a rivalry with fellow Haitian gang G-Pep. In 2022, clashes between it and G-Pep led to "at least 50 dead and more than 50 wounded" in just 4 days in Port-au-Prince.[5]
On February 29 2024, the G9 family set aside its rivalry with the G-Pep gang and formed a coalition: Viv Ansanm. [6]
Activities
Jimmy Chérizier, the founder of the G9, in January 2024
The G9 had a relationship with assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, having received weapons, police uniforms, and other support even after Chérizier's dismissal from the police force.[1] The G9 also has a rivalry with fellow Haitian gang G-Pep, having fought with them. The gang is well-armed and capable of using unmanned aerial vehicles.[7] They have access to a variety of illegal weapons, mostly from the United States, giving them more firepower than the police.[8]
