Barbecue | Haiti's Most Wanted Gang Leader

Best Documentary・2 minutes read

In Haiti, armed gangs like "Ambachal" and "Barbecue" instill fear through violence, kidnappings, and brutality, leading to widespread instability and danger for both locals and foreigners. Despite the rampant crime and violence, some individuals like Father Michel and Virginie continue their work and remain committed to helping the community amidst the challenging and dangerous conditions in the country.

Insights

  • Armed gangs in Haiti, like "Ambachal" and "Mawozos," operate under the guise of citizen militias defending neighborhoods but engage in violent crimes like assault, robbery, and rape, instilling fear and instability in the population.
  • The rampant kidnappings, violence, and gang wars in Haiti, exemplified by leaders like "Barbecue," create a dangerous environment where even religious figures like Father Benjamin face threats and abductions, impacting the daily lives and safety of residents, including schoolchildren dreaming of emigrating to escape the pervasive fear and instability.

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Recent questions

  • What is the situation like in Haiti?

    Haiti faces rampant gang violence, with armed groups like "Ambachal" accused of assault, robberies, and rape. The country is plagued by 76 armed gangs involved in theft and murder, leading to a surge in kidnappings, with ten people abducted daily in the capital. Gangs like the Mawozos, led by "A Hundred-Day Death," showcase brutality on social media, instilling fear in the population and law enforcement. The situation is further exacerbated by political parties fueling gang wars, with leaders like "Barbecue" known for extreme violence, including burning people alive in their homes.

  • How do people in Haiti cope with the violence?

    Inhabitants of areas like High Bel Air have lived under siege for two years, staying close to walls to avoid bullets and relying on scouts to navigate safely. Father Benjamin, a priest in a conflict zone controlled by gangs, faces threats and kidnappings, highlighting the dangers faced by religious figures. Despite the pervasive fear and instability, the Catholic school where Father Benjamin teaches struggles to operate, with students dreaming of emigrating to escape the violence. The police are unable to arrest gang leaders like Barbecue due to fear of heavy weapons and lack of orders, leaving residents to navigate daily shootings and roadblocks due to kidnappings.

  • What challenges do French immigrants face in Haiti?

    French immigrants like Virginie face animosity towards Westerners and the French in Haiti but remain committed to their work. Virginie's NGO transformed an unauthorized dump into a Garden of Eden for schoolchildren, planting strawberries and bromeliad with medicinal properties for COVID. Some French immigrants have moved to safer locations like Jacmel, facing challenges such as dangerous roads and lack of regulations. Despite the civil war atmosphere, negotiations led to the release of French hostages after 19 days of captivity, with reduced ransom payments and good health upon release.

  • How do armed gangs in Haiti operate?

    Armed gangs in Haiti, like the G9 gang led by Barbecue, are involved in theft, murder, and extreme violence. Gangs present themselves as citizen militias defending neighborhoods against violence, despite being accused of serious crimes like assault and rape. Gang leaders like "A Hundred-Day Death" showcase brutality on social media, instilling fear in the population and law enforcement. The police struggle to arrest gang leaders due to fear of heavy weapons and lack of orders, allowing gangs to operate with impunity and fueling a climate of constant instability and fear.

  • What is the impact of gang violence on everyday life in Haiti?

    The pervasive gang violence in Haiti has led to a surge in kidnappings, with ten people abducted daily in the capital, creating a climate of constant instability and fear. Residents in conflict zones like High Bel Air live under siege, staying close to walls to avoid bullets and relying on scouts to navigate safely. The Catholic school where Father Benjamin teaches struggles to operate amidst the violence, with students dreaming of emigrating to escape the pervasive fear and instability. Despite the challenges, some French immigrants have moved to safer locations like Jacmel, facing dangerous roads and lack of regulations in their daily lives.

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Summary

00:00

Gonâve: High-risk meeting with Haiti gang

  • Traveling to Gonâve, a major city in Haiti, for a high-risk meeting with the gang "Ambachal."
  • Meeting two armed men in the city center who are part of the gang, showcasing their weapons to emphasize their seriousness.
  • The gang, accused of assault, robberies, and rape, presents itself as a citizen militia defending the neighborhood against armed men spreading violence.
  • Haiti is plagued by 76 armed gangs involved in theft and murder, with leaders like "Barbecue" known for burning people alive in their homes.
  • Kidnappings have surged in Haiti, with ten people abducted daily in the capital, creating a climate of constant instability and fear.
  • French religious leaders were held hostage for 19 days, highlighting the rampant kidnappings in the country.
  • Gangs like the Mawozos, led by "A Hundred-Day Death," showcase their brutality on social media, instilling fear in the population and law enforcement.
  • Magdala, a victim of kidnapping, shares her harrowing experience of being burned and held for ransom, with negotiations reaching exorbitant amounts.
  • Father Benjamin, a priest in a conflict zone controlled by Barbecue, faces threats and kidnappings, highlighting the dangers faced by religious figures.
  • The Catholic school where Father Benjamin teaches, with 1,700 students, struggles to operate amidst the violence, with students dreaming of emigrating due to the pervasive fear and instability.

20:42

Violence and Gang Wars in High Bel Air

  • Tear gas and live ammunition were used in a night of violence in High Bel Air.
  • Priest Están, a member of a human rights organization, monitors crimes in the district.
  • Inhabitants of High Bel Air have lived under siege for two years, staying close to walls to avoid bullets.
  • Scouts signal the team to advance towards Barbecue's district, risking sniper attacks.
  • Traveling through hidden paths to avoid gang members, the team nears the border.
  • Sandbags barricade the road to protect against bullets, with shootings being a daily occurrence.
  • An ambulance rushes to a gunshot victim in Bel Air, facing roadblocks due to kidnappings.
  • Gang wars in Haiti are fueled by political parties, with Barbecue's group targeting left-leaning districts.
  • Barbecue, head of the G9 gang, campaigns for votes while being wanted for multiple murders.
  • The police are unable to arrest Barbecue due to lack of orders and fear of the gang's heavy weapons.

43:13

French NGO in Haiti transforms dump into garden.

  • Virginie, a French immigrant in Haiti, faces animosity towards Westerners and the French, but remains committed to her NGO's work on garbage issues.
  • Virginie's NGO transformed an unauthorized dump into a Garden of Eden for schoolchildren, planting strawberries and bromeliad, which also has medicinal properties for COVID.
  • Despite the civil war atmosphere in Haiti, some French immigrants have moved to Jacmel, a safer but challenging location due to dangerous roads and lack of regulations.
  • French hostages in Haiti were released after 19 days of captivity, with negotiations leading to a reduced ransom payment and their good health upon release.
  • Father Michel, a kidnapped priest, endured harsh conditions during his captivity but remains positive and committed to staying in Haiti despite the challenges.
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