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 9 gangs, but it soon expanded to 12.[4]
The G9 has a rivalry with fellow Haitian gang G-Pep. In 2022, clashes between it and G-Pep lead to 89 people dead in Port-au-Prince.[5]
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.[6] They have access to a variety of illegal weapons, mostly from the United States, giving them more firepower than the police.[7]
