Despite public condemnations and a viral image wrapped in a U.S. flag, the system manipulating Haitian gang leaders exposes the dangerous duplicity of foreign powers.
Politics | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | August 13, 2025
The Indictment and the Illusion of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed a one-count indictment against Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, known as “Barbecue,” along with co-conspirator Bazil Richardson. The charge: Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). U.S. officials publicly describe Cherizier as a notorious figure who has orchestrated violence and committed human rights abuses.
But the public narrative is only part of the story. The indictment, along with a $5 million bounty, presents an image of decisive action. Yet the reality is far more complex, hinting at collusion and manipulation by foreign powers—particularly the U.S. government.
During a recent press conference on Fox Live, Jeanine Ferris-Pirro, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, fielded questions about Cherizier’s location and the possibility of indicting other gang leaders. When asked directly whether they knew his whereabouts, she replied:
“If I knew where he were I wouldn't tell you, I'd go over there myself. We certainly have some information but we need whatever information we can get from the public… we don't have him in our custody, that's all I can say right now.”
At first glance, this may appear to be transparency, but it raises a question: the U.S. has one of the largest and most well-staffed embassies in Haiti, reportedly holding countless meetings with gang leaders, including Cherizier himself. For a government that claims ignorance, the statement seems less a disclosure and more a performance—designed to give the impression of action while hiding deeper complicity.
The Snake in the Bed
This contradiction—public condemnation paired with private collusion—evokes a chilling analogy: lying in bed with a snake you cannot see is perilous. Here, the snake is the U.S. government and its operatives. They publicly indict and condemn, yet maintain private ties to manipulate outcomes in their favor.
A viral image of Cherizier sleeping, wrapped in an official U.S. flag, reinforces the metaphor. To the casual observer, it is shocking: the very institutions meant to enforce justice appear to be cozying with the individual they publicly accuse. Cherizier, in this analogy, is not the predator; he is the pawn manipulated by the snake, given tools and permission to wield violence, all while serving a larger agenda he cannot fully control.
This image—and the wider conduct surrounding it—underscores a harsh reality for Haiti: foreign powers often operate with self-interest, and the population should not confuse public rhetoric with genuine concern for local welfare.
Barbecue’s Role: Victim and Instrument
It is important to recognize that Jimmy Cherizier is both culpable and manipulated. He has terrorized Haitian communities, yet he has also operated within a system that provided him latitude, protection, and opportunity—until he became expendable. Reports indicate that Cherizier has his passport and visa ready, signaling mobility and influence. He has admitted publicly that he could leave Haiti at will, highlighting the gap between public accountability and private maneuvering.
In other words, Cherizier’s actions, while harmful, cannot be divorced from the larger geopolitical chessboard in which he has been a willing, if manipulated, participant. This duality is critical: he is simultaneously a perpetrator of terror and a tool wielded by forces with strategic interests, not humanitarian concern.
The $5 Million Bounty: Theater Over Reality
The announcement of a $5 million bounty on Cherizier further demonstrates the performative nature of the indictment. Publicly, it paints a picture of decisive action. Privately, it is a joke, given the government’s knowledge of his whereabouts and repeated interactions with him. Interviews, meetings, and media interactions suggest the U.S. has been aware of Cherizier’s movements for years—yet the bounty serves as propaganda rather than enforcement.
This is a warning to Haitians: external powers often craft narratives to appear righteous while safeguarding their strategic interests, rather than the local population’s welfare.
The Time of Reckoning
For Cherizier and his network, the time of reckoning is approaching. He and his allies have inflicted considerable harm on the nation, yet they were presented with an opportunity to redeem themselves—to join the Haitian population in dismantling corrupt structures, while acting in loyalty to their country. Instead, they chose alignment with external masters, demonstrating the deep entanglement of foreign interests in Haitian affairs.
It is a stark reminder: loyalty to distant powers comes at the cost of community trust, national security, and historical legacy.
Seeking Real Allies: Lessons for Haiti
The path forward is clear: Haitians must identify, cultivate, and rely on genuine allies within their own communities. This is not just strategy; it is survival.
For Haitians, the lesson is undeniable. External powers—even those that publicly decry corruption or gang violence—often act with agendas unrelated to local welfare. Depending solely on foreign intervention is dangerous. The time has come to seek real allies within Haitian communities, diaspora networks, and trustworthy local institutions—not those who might cloak a snake in a flag.
True empowerment emerges from internal collaboration, organized and strategic:
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Build networks of local leaders who are accountable to their communities.
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Prioritize initiatives that ensure self-sufficiency, security, and economic independence.
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Leverage diaspora influence not for foreign interests, but to strengthen Haiti’s internal infrastructure.
Only by cultivating these authentic networks can Haiti begin to resist manipulation, protect its citizens, and reclaim sovereignty.
Conclusion: Eyes Open, Hands Ready
The Cherizier indictment and the viral image of him under the U.S. flag are more than news—they are a lesson in vigilance, mistrust, and strategy. Haiti’s challenges cannot be outsourced to foreign powers that operate with hidden motives. The story of Barbecue, a pawn and perpetrator alike, illustrates the necessity of internal alliances built on integrity and accountability, rather than the empty promises of distant capitals.
It is time for Haitians to take stock, build structures of empowerment, and demand loyalty to the people first. History will judge not just those who wield power, but also those who remain passive in the face of duplicity.
The Haitian Pulse remains committed to fearless reporting, revealing the realities behind public narratives and urging every Haitian to act with discernment, unity, and courage.
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