Exclusive | Izo Builds a Wharf in Preparation for the Kenyans

The armed gangs of Haiti are preparing for the arrival of the foreign mission led by Kenya

The construction of a wharf in Village de Dieu, a protest in Fontamara, mystical rituals in Canaan, and coordinated calls by gang members for residents to return to areas they had fled… Haiti’s armed gangs are preparing for the arrival of a foreign mission led by Kenya.

In the southern part of the capital, gang leader Johnson André, known as Izo, is enhancing his operational capabilities.

Aerial images obtained by AyiboPost show the construction of a quay in the area, coinciding with the development of a base near Toussaint Louverture Airport for the soldiers and police being dispatched to Haiti.

Wharf under construction in Village de Dieu, stronghold of the « 5 Segond » gang led by Johnson (Izo) André. | Photo taken on May 23, 2024/AyiboPost

« Having a greater maritime capacity gives the gang more options to move their soldiers, weapons, and drugs, » an international expert familiar with the gang’s operations, suspected of transnational arms and drug trafficking, told AyiboPost.

This well-funded gang can generate more money and, according to the expert, achieve « more agility » in combat.

In the northeast of Port-au-Prince, specifically in Jérusalem, tensions are high.

This slum, entirely controlled by Jeff and his henchmen, is marked by extreme violence, with victims often disemboweled and their abdomens filled with projectiles, according to multiple testimonies collected by AyiboPost.

The bodies are then stored in a nearby ravine called « madan hèl. »

The mystical ritual, believed to poison the bullets, requires the bodies to remain in the canyon for one month and 21 days.

« Jeff’s men believe that a decomposing body produces a deadly liquid, » a source told AyiboPost. « By soaking the bullets in this liquid for one month and 21 days, they believe the bullets will be lethal, even if the victim is taken to the hospital. »

The mystical ritual, believed to poison the bullets, requires the bodies to remain in the canyon for one month and 21 days.

Dr. Jean Ardouin Esther Louis-Charles, medical director of the Port-au-Prince Sanatorium, refutes these claims as unscientific.

While bullets left inside corpses might harbor bacteria, they are not inherently deadly. « If the deceased had cholera, for instance, the bullets might carry the germs. Otherwise, a dead body is no more dangerous than a living one, » he explained.

Other gang leaders are adopting a nationalist rhetoric.

On May 10, « Krisla, » operating in « Ti bwa, » forced thousands to protest in Fontamara, at the southern entrance to the capital, against the arrival of the foreign mission.

« Only hospitals and health centers were allowed to operate that day, » reported a local resident who spoke to AyiboPost under anonymity for safety reasons.

« Moreover, we are banned from listening to the antigang political program ‘Ti Koze ak TT,' » she added. Krisla’s subordinates are determined to enforce this rule.

If the deceased had cholera, for instance, the bullets might carry the germs. Otherwise, a dead body is no more dangerous than a living one.

– Jean Ardouin Esther Louis-Charles

Several major crime lords are urging people to return to areas they were driven from.

In Carrefour-Feuilles, gang leader Ezéchiel Alexandre is inviting everyone—except police officers—to return home, according to multiple residents.

« To monitor for potential police infiltration, the gang has set up a base at Carrefour Saintus and scattered watchtowers throughout the area, » said one resident who has returned to the neighborhood.

Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue, is similarly urging the population of lower Delmas to come back home.

« The gangs want to use us as human shields during future clashes with the Kenyans, » analyzed a source in these neighborhoods.

Residents are not free to move as they please.

In Jérusalem and Martissant, multiple inhabitants confirmed to AyiboPost that the gangs prohibit anyone from leaving. « If you go out, you must inform one of the gang’s underlings of your return, » said a local man who hopes to escape soon.

In fact, the father hopes to be able to escape in the coming days.

His fear of being used as a shield is compounded by the increasingly tense atmosphere. « Coming back from church on Thursday, May 16, I heard one of the bandits complaining because he hadn’t found anyone to kill that morning. »

The gangs want to use us as human shields during future clashes with the Kenyans.

In Siloe, Étienne Descieux has observed a significant decrease in shootings.

« Every night during February and March, we heard gunfire from places like Pétion-ville, Puits-Blain, and Caradeux for hours. But in recent weeks, it’s been much quieter, » he explained.

Descieux believes the gangs are conserving ammunition.

Despite the quieter nights, violence continues.

Believing the international mission will try to eradicate them, gangs have launched a campaign of destruction against public infrastructure to prevent these buildings from being used as bases by foreign soldiers and police.

On May 22, 2024, the gangs in Grand Ravin demolished the Martissant sub-police station on orders from Jimmy Chérizier, leader of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, according to a source.

Coming back from church on Thursday, May 16, I heard one of the bandits complaining because he hadn’t found anyone to kill that morning.

On May 18, 2024, during the 221st anniversary of Haiti’s flag, Joseph Wilson, known as « Lanmò san jou, » completely destroyed the Croix-des-Bouquets prison, having emptied it of its prisoners in March.

In other parts of the country, like Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, the Savien gang is also preparing. Witnesses told AyiboPost that armed men attempted to destroy the local police station last week.

« They went to fetch heavy equipment from the Artibonite Valley Development Organization (ODVA) in Pont-Sondé, » reported a young local man. However, the presence of a police vehicle at Carrefour-Paye deterred them.

Witnesses say that local residents are becoming increasingly alert, fearing gang infiltration.

Meanwhile, discussions continue regarding the arrival of the UN-authorized multinational force, with a base being constructed near Toussaint Louverture International Airport, AyiboPost reports.

By Rebecca Bruny, Widlore Mérancourt, Fenel Pélissier et Wethzer Piercin