In a recent music video, numerous members of the 5 Segonn gang are seen dancing. Over the years, the gang has utilized bold rap videos on social media to promote themselves as one of Haiti’s most powerful and well-armed groups. However, their recent posts on TikTok indicate a shift towards presenting themselves as a structured security force. Members of the gang can now be seen in tactical gear, wielding more advanced weapons such as the FN FAL rifle, a weapon not previously associated with the group.
The transformation of 5 Segonn coincided with the alliance of several rival gangs and a subsequent increase in chaos within Haiti. These gangs have seized control of key roads and police stations, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The upcoming deployment of a multinational police force led by Kenya, with support from the U.S., faces a volatile situation as they confront the increasingly organized gangs.
5 Segonn’s leader, Johnson André, also known as Izo, has taken on a new persona as a cartel leader and head of a “tactical corps.” Videos posted by the gang show Izo directing attacks against the police using live drone feeds, and overseeing men in tactical gear. Their vehicles, once inspired by the Los Angeles Crips gang, are now camouflaged and display sequential license plates.
The gang’s actions have become more daring, including attacks on government buildings and the hijacking of a cargo ship. The origin of their newer weapons, such as the FN FAL rifles, raises questions about their procurement, with possibilities including weapons looted from Colombian military warehouses.
The evolving capabilities and bold actions of 5 Segonn and other Haitian gangs suggest a possible connection with cartels in Latin America, indicating Haiti’s growing role as a cocaine trafficking route to Europe. Izo’s collaboration with Dimitri Hérard, a key suspect in President Moïse’s assassination, further complicates the situation, highlighting the complex and dangerous landscape in Haiti.