The United States is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the alleged leader of Haiti’s “Viv Ansanm” coalition and a figure linked by U.S. authorities to mass atrocities and sanctions violations.
Who is Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier?
Jimmy Chérizier is a former officer of the Haitian National Police who rose to prominence as a gang leader in Port-au-Prince. U.S. Treasury officials sanctioned him in December 2020 for serious human rights abuses, alleging his role in the 2018 La Saline massacre and other coordinated attacks that left scores dead.
In 2025, U.S. authorities say Chérizier has remained at the center of gang coalitions that control large parts of the capital, and they have moved to escalate pressure through criminal charges and reward offers.
The $5 Million Reward: What It Means
On August 12, 2025, the U.S. State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program announced a reward of up to $5,000,000 for information leading to Chérizier’s arrest and/or conviction. This public offer is designed to crowdsource credible tips that could help U.S. and international authorities disrupt his network and bring him to justice.
The FBI has also posted a Wanted notice for Chérizier, underscoring U.S. law-enforcement interest and listing ways the public can provide tips.
How to submit information: Individuals with credible information can contact U.S. authorities via the FBI tip line (+1-800-225-5324) or Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at +1-866-347-2423, in addition to the State Department program channels. (Tip portals are referenced by the FBI and HSI.)
Why Now? New U.S. Criminal Case
Also on August 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment charging Chérizier with conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions—allegedly moving money and coordinating with U.S.-based associates to pay gang members and procure weapons in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). A U.S. co-conspirator was arrested in Texas, according to the Justice Department.
Major outlets report that U.S. prosecutors allege diaspora fund-raising and weapons purchases were used to sustain violent operations in Haiti from 2020–2025, despite earlier human-rights sanctions against Chérizier.
“Viv Ansanm” Is Now a U.S.-Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization
The gang federation now led by Chérizier—commonly known as “Viv Ansanm” and historically connected to the “G9” alliance—has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. Secretary of State. The designation decision was made on April 22, 2025, and published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2025 (90 FR 19065). The designation lists aliases including “G9 Family and Allies” and related formulations.
State Department materials referencing the reward also note this FTO status in 2025, reflecting Washington’s heightened approach to Haitian gang coalitions.
What FTO status means: Under U.S. law, it becomes a federal crime to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to a designated organization. The designation also enables asset-blocking, immigration restrictions, and enhanced criminal penalties tied to the group’s activities. (This paragraph summarizes general FTO legal effects as reflected in State guidance surrounding FTO designations; see the Federal Register notice for official details.)
Human Rights Allegations: La Saline and Beyond
U.S. sanctions documents accuse Chérizier of planning and participating in the 2018 La Saline massacre, and leading or coordinating other violent attacks across several Port-au-Prince neighborhoods in 2018–2019. Those actions led to his 2020 designation under the Global Magnitsky human rights program.
Subsequent reporting by international and U.S. media has continued to link Chérizier and his coalitions to killings, kidnappings, extortion, and blockades that have devastated daily life and impeded humanitarian operations in Haiti.
What U.S. Officials Are Saying
At State Department briefings in July and August 2025, Spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed Haiti repeatedly as the Department rolled out a reorganization and new measures targeting gang leaders and their support networks. Her office also publicized the $5 million reward and the FTO designations tied to the Viv Ansanm coalition.
How Tips Can Help—and How to Share Them Safely
U.S. authorities emphasize that detailed, verifiable information can be pivotal. Relevant tips might include:
- Confirmed locations, movements, or safehouses connected to Chérizier
- Financial channels, front companies, or facilitators moving funds or weapons
- Communications or logistics used to evade sanctions or procure arms
Tip channels (as listed by U.S. agencies):
- FBI: +1-800-225-5324; online tip portal (see FBI “Wanted” page)
- HSI: +1-866-347-2423; online tip form (referenced by HSI)
- State Dept Reward: Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program announcement (includes program context)
Important: Do not attempt to apprehend any suspect. Share information with authorities through official channels.
Timeline at a Glance (Key U.S. Actions)
- Dec 10, 2020 — U.S. Treasury sanctions Chérizier for serious human-rights abuses, including La Saline.
- Apr 22, 2025 — Secretary of State designates Viv Ansanm (aka G9/G-9 Family & Allies, etc.) as an FTO; notice published May 5, 2025.
- Aug 12, 2025 — DOJ unseals sanctions-evasion indictment against Chérizier; State announces up to $5M reward for information leading to arrest/conviction.
Why This Matters for Haiti
Analysts warn that while designations and prosecutions can constrain financing and external support, they must be paired with security improvements and political stability to reduce violence on the ground. Otherwise, terror or criminal designations may unintentionally harden group cohesion or complicate humanitarian access.
Still, U.S. officials argue that financial pressure, targeted rewards, and criminal cases are essential to disrupt transnational networks that funnel money and weapons into Haiti. The new $5 million reward and sanctions-evasion indictment signal that Washington aims to cut off the flows sustaining gang coalitions and to hold leaders criminally accountable.
Editor’s Notes for Publication
- Primary sources: U.S. State Department (reward, briefings, FTO context), U.S. Department of Justice (indictment), U.S. Treasury (sanctions background), FBI “Wanted” notice.
- Key dates: Sanctions (Dec 10, 2020); FTO designation decision (Apr 22, 2025; FR publication May 5, 2025); Reward + indictment (Aug 12, 2025).
