Barbecue Finds Solace in Bob Marley
In a video circulating online, Chérizier swayed to Marley’s timeless anthem, sharing messages of unity and resistance.
“They don’t want to see us unite, they don’t ever want us to unite. All they want to see is us killing each other. When we are killing each other, they are happy,” he said.
The moment struck a chord as Haiti faces ongoing violence and instability, with Barbecue at the center of the storm.
Who Is Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier?
Chérizier, 47, is a former Haitian police officer turned powerful gang leader. He now leads the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (FRG9), a coalition of armed groups in Port-au-Prince.
Known for public appearances in military gear and fiery speeches, he brands himself the leader of an “armed revolution.” Once dismissed from the Haitian National Police, he has long denied accusations of playing a role in several massacres.
From Jailbreaks to Power Struggles
In March 2024, Barbecue’s coalition staged Haiti’s largest jailbreak, stormed the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, and escalated attacks aimed at overthrowing then–Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Henry later resigned under pressure that same month.
Since then, Barbecue has warned that international support for Haiti’s leadership could push the country into civil war and genocide.
Music as Resistance
Despite his reputation as a feared warlord, the viral video shows Barbecue leaning on Bob Marley’s legacy of unity and struggle — a reminder that music remains a powerful force of resistance, even in the middle of Haiti’s turmoil.
