Haiti: A Nation’s Overview

In 1957, François Duvalier was elected president. Initially popular, his administration evolved into a brutal dictatorship, supported by a private militia known as the Tontons Macoutes, who terrorized the population and political opponents. Duvalier cultivated a personality cult, associating himself with Baron Samedi, a spirit within Haitian Vodou.

In 1964, Duvalier declared himself “President for Life.” An uprising in Jérémie was violently suppressed, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Despite his abuses of power, his anti-Communism garnered support from the United States.

Following Papa Doc’s death in 1971, his son Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as “Baby Doc,” assumed the presidency. Tourism, which had previously declined, regained importance. However, economic decline weakened Baby Doc’s authority.

Baby Doc was forced into exile in 1986, ending a 29-year family dictatorship. An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 Haitians perished during the Duvaliers’ rule.

The period between 1987 and 1990 was marked by political turmoil and two coups following Baby Doc’s ousting.

In 1990, Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide won a landslide victory in Haiti’s first free and peaceful presidential election.

President Aristide was overthrown by the military in 1991.

In 1994, 20,000 US troops intervened to restore democracy, and Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned to power.

In 2004, President Aristide left Haiti amid a rebellion. US Marines were deployed to restore order, and a UN stabilization force was established.

From 2004 to 2008, Haiti experienced a series of tropical storms causing widespread death and disruption.

In 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region, resulting in over 300,000 deaths and 1.6 million people displaced – the most devastating earthquake in Haiti’s history.

Hurricane Matthew, the strongest to hit the region in a decade, killed hundreds and destroyed thousands of homes in Haiti in 2016.

The UN stabilization force was reduced in size in 2017.

The UN force withdrew from Haiti in 2019.

In 2021, unidentified gunmen attacked President Jovenel Moïse in Port-au-Prince, resulting in his death. Shortly thereafter, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti, killing 2,200 people.

From 2021 to 2023, Haiti faced continued political deadlock, economic crisis, and escalating gang violence.

In 2024, Prime Minister and President Ariel Henry resigned amid worsening gang violence in Port-au-Prince.