One of Haiti's most dreaded gang leaders, Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbecue, now says he is ready to cooperate with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following a plan by President Donald Trump's administration to arrest him.
According to the Jamaica Observer, Barbecue, who heads one of the largest criminal gangs in Haiti, said he was ready to cooperate with the investigators but under certain circumstances.
The Viv Ansanm gang leader said he would only cooperate with the investigators provided the United States government provided accurate evidence linking him and his accomplice to the ongoing violence in Haiti.
In a brief video shared by Barbecue to a section of the Caribbean media, Barbecue dismissed allegations that Basil Richardson, a 48-year-old US citizen, funded his gang.
Barbecue, while defending Richardson, stated that the latter never sent him any money, nor did he in any way finance the ongoing violence in Haiti.
“My name is Jimmy Cherizier ‘Barbecue’. If the FBI wants me, I’m here. I’m willing to collaborate with them on one condition. There can be no lies told," Barbecue asserted.
Adding: "Basil Richardson, aka Fredo, is innocent. He has never sent any money to me to finance anything in Haiti. Stop with all those lies, and we can collaborate. Thank you."
His conditional willingness to cooperate with the American government comes as a huge boost for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which has been facing growing criticism over its effectiveness.
Barbecue's surrender would immensely undermine and weaken the Viv Ansanm gang, making the anti-gang operations in Haiti more effective.
Meanwhile, Barbecue's pronouncement comes hardly a week after US Federal prosecutors declared criminal charges against the gang leader for allegedly soliciting funds to orchestrate violence in the Caribbean nation.
According to the prosecution, Barbecue, alongside Basil Richardson, solicited funds from the Haitian diaspora community to acquire firearms in violation of US laws.
To aid Barbecue's arrest, the US government offered up to Ksh647 million ($5 million) for anyone with information regarding the gang leader's whereabouts.
