You’ve likely seen the images of Port-au-Prince—smoke rising over the harbor, streets blocked by burning tires, and men in tactical gear holding rifles that look like they belong in a war zone. At the center of this chaos is a name that sounds like a bizarre contradiction: the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies.
Most people just call them a "gang." But honestly, that’s a massive oversimplification that makes it impossible to understand why Haiti is currently in such a tailspin. If they were just a bunch of street criminals, they wouldn't have been able to topple a Prime Minister or hold the country’s largest fuel terminal hostage for weeks. They are a paramilitary federation, a political entity, and a social nightmare all rolled into one.
The Reality of the G9 Family and Allies
Founded in June 2020 by Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier, the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (Fòs Revolisyonè G9 an Fanmi e Alye) started as a "federation" of nine of the most powerful gangs in the capital. Chérizier wasn't some street kid who worked his way up; he was an elite police officer. He knows how the state works, which is exactly what makes the G9 so dangerous.
They didn't just stumble into power. They were built to be a tool. For a long time, the G9 was the muscle for the political elite, specifically linked to the late President Jovenel Moïse’s PHTK party. The deal was simple: the G9 keeps the streets quiet and ensures the "right" votes come out of the slums, and in exchange, the government provides money, weapons, and police uniforms.
But then Moïse was assassinated in 2021, and the "deal" fell apart. Suddenly, the G9 wasn't just a political tool anymore—it was a power of its own.
The Barbecue Paradox
Jimmy Chérizier is a weird guy to watch. One day he’s on camera wearing a suit, talking about "liberating" the Haitian people from a corrupt bourgeoisie. The next, his men are linked to massacres in neighborhoods like La Saline or Bel Air. He claims he got his nickname because his mother sold fried chicken, but most Haitians will tell you a much darker story about why he’s called "Barbecue."
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He leans heavily into "revolutionary" rhetoric. He’s not a gang leader, he says—he’s a freedom fighter. He uses YouTube and TikTok to talk directly to the diaspora, painting himself as a Robin Hood figure. But the numbers don't lie. Under the rule of the G9 and their rivals, kidnapping has become a primary industry, and sexual violence is used as a systematic tool of territorial control.
The 2026 Landscape: From G9 to Viv Ansanm
As of early 2026, the situation has shifted into something even more complex. You might hear the term Viv Ansanm (Living Together) more often now. This is a massive coalition that brought together the G9 and its long-time blood rival, G-Pèp.
It’s the "enemy of my enemy" principle in action. They realized that if they stopped killing each other, they could collectively take over the state. In 2024, they did exactly that—launching coordinated attacks on the airport, prisons, and the National Palace. They effectively forced out Prime Minister Ariel Henry while he was stuck in Kenya trying to negotiate for a police force to come and stop them.
Now, as we hit the start of 2026, the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies are essentially part of a shadow government. They control over 90% of Port-au-Prince. They aren't just hiding in the shadows; they are the ones collecting "taxes" from businesses and deciding who gets to eat.
The Gang Suppression Force (GSF)
There’s a new player on the board this year. After the Kenya-led mission struggled to make a dent, the UN authorized the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). This isn't just a police training mission; it’s a mandate to "neutralize" gangs.
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The GSF is expected to be fully operational by April 2026, with 5,500 personnel. But here’s the problem: Chérizier and his allies have had years to dig in. They’ve recruited thousands of children—the UN estimates about half of all gang members are now minors. If the GSF goes in with "aggressive tactics," the collateral damage is going to be horrific.
Why They Haven't Been Stopped
You’d think a bunch of guys with AK-47s could be handled by a modern military. It’s not that simple. The G9 is deeply integrated into the economy.
- Fuel Control: They’ve repeatedly seized the Varreux terminal. If they don't get what they want, the whole country goes dark because there’s no diesel for the generators.
- Port Authority: They control the coastlines. This lets them bring in a constant stream of high-powered weapons, mostly from Florida, which easily outgun the local police.
- Social Support: In the areas they control, the G9 often provides the only "security" and social services available. When the state disappears, people turn to whoever has the bread and the guns.
The Human Cost
It’s easy to get lost in the politics, but the reality on the ground is a nightmare. Over 1.4 million Haitians are currently displaced. That’s more than 10% of the entire population.
We’re seeing a 700% rise in child recruitment. When schools are closed and there’s no food, joining the G9 or an ally isn't always a choice—it’s a survival strategy. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning that 2026 could be the worst year yet for food insecurity, with over half the country facing crisis levels of hunger.
What Happens Next?
The "revolutionary" part of their name is mostly branding, but the "forces" part is very real. With the transitional government’s mandate expiring in February 2026, the G9 is pushing for a seat at the table. They want amnesty. They want their allies in the next administration.
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If you’re trying to keep an eye on where this goes, watch these three things:
- The February 7th Deadline: This is when the transitional government is supposed to hand over power. If there’s no clear plan, expect Viv Ansanm to fill the vacuum.
- The GSF Deployment: If the international force actually arrives in April with the promised 5,500 troops, we’re going to see urban warfare on a scale Port-au-Prince hasn't seen in decades.
- The U.S. Indictments: Jimmy Chérizier was recently indicted by the U.S. for conspiracy to violate sanctions. There’s a $5 million bounty on his head. This makes him a cornered animal, which is rarely a good thing for stability.
Actionable Insights for Following the Crisis
If you want to stay informed or help, don't just look at the headlines.
- Follow Local Reporting: Organizations like AyiboPost and Le Nouvelliste provide ground-level context that international outlets often miss.
- Understand the Logistics: The G9's power comes from the ports and fuel. When you see news about the Varreux terminal, that’s the real barometer of their leverage.
- Support Direct Aid: Look for organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) or the IRC who are actually operating in the "red zones" where the G9 operates.
The Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies aren't going anywhere just because a new UN resolution was signed. They are a symptom of a broken system that has been decades in the making. Until the link between the political elite and the armed groups is truly severed, the "family" will only continue to grow.
To stay updated on the security situation as the GSF prepares for deployment, monitor the UN Security Council's monthly forecasts and the ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) reports for real-time tracking of territorial shifts in Port-au-Prince.