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A Haitian gang leader told more than 1,000 demonstrators who had gathered to wait for his "order" before they could avenge the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer, was surrounded by a crowd dressed mostly in white on Monday as they gathered in commemoration of Moïse. Cherizier is the leader of a federation of nine gangs known as "G9", which authorities have blamed for a spike in violence and kidnappings in recent months.
"Everyone needs to wait on my order before we respond to the killing of Jovenel Moïse," Cherizier said.
Cherizier was cheered on by the crowd, who were demanding justice for Moïse's assassination.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below:
Police say Cherizier, who goes by the name of "Barbecue," is behind several recent massacres that targeted civilians living in communities run by other gangs.
He was wearing a white suit and black tie as he spoke to the crowd at the seaside slum of La Saline in the capital of Port-au-Prince. A nearby truck played music as Cherizier knelt down before a large portrait of Moïse and began to light candles.
"No justice, no peace!" he said.
Earlier, the crowd sang as they made a circle around a bonfire and threw salt into it as part of a ceremony to honor Moïse. Many had their faces covered so as not to be identified.
Moïse was shot several times during a July 7 attack at his private home in which his wife was seriously injured. At least 26 people have been arrested, including 18 former Colombian soldiers. Police are still looking for various suspects including a former rebel leader and an ex-Haitian senator.
