Haiti expert on armed conflict in Port-au-Prince: ‘We are going to see if the palace falls’

‘The gangs are going to be the arbiter of Haiti’s political future’

Barbecue, the leader of the "G9 and Family" gang, listens to his cell phone after addressing journalists in the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Haiti's latest violence began with a direct challenge from Barbecue, a former elite police officer, who said he would target government ministers to prevent the prime minister's return and force his resignation. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) (Odelyn Joseph, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

DORAL, Fla. – Armed groups were fighting the Haitian National Police in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Sunday. The airport and the seaport were closed. Non-essential U.S. State Department employees evacuated the U.S. Embassy.

Jacqueline Charles, Emmy Award-winning foreign correspondent for The Miami Herald, told Local 10 News This Week In South Florida’s Glenna Milberg on Sunday that although the historic palace fell during the catastrophic earthquake more than 14 years ago the building there is the country’s symbol of governance.

“There was heavy gunfire around the national palace. We are looking to see if the palace falls,” Charles said.

Haitian reporters identified some of the armed groups fighting to take control of Haiti’s National Palace as “Vivre Ensemble,” the “G Pèp” and the “G9″ led by Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizie.

The former police officer, who heads “Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye,” creole for Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies, talked to reporters about the fight against the government.

Masked members of "G9 and Family" gang stand guard during a press conference by their leader Barbecue in the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Haiti's latest violence began with a direct challenge from Barbecue, a former elite police officer, who said he would target government ministers to prevent the prime minister's return and force his resignation. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

“They have made it impossible for people to get anywhere. People are running out of food ... Hospitals have been forced to shut down,” Charles said.

The armed groups do not want a foreign force in Haiti, they want amnesty for their crimes, and they want a place in politics. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry hasn’t been able to return to Haiti.

“The gangs are going to be the arbiter of Haiti’s political future,” Charles said adding the weapons and the ammunition are from South Florida and the U.S. is the major funder of the Haitian police.

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FILE - Guy Philippe, who led the rebellion against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, is greeted by supporters during a march of thousands in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 7, 2004. He returned to Haiti in November after he was convicted of money laundering related to narcotrafficking. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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