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Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti
posted on: Jan 17 2011 8:47 by The Reporter. Viewed 737 times.
In a surprise to many, the former dictator of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier who has been living in exile France since 1986, returned to Haiti on an Air France flight on Sunday.
Jean-Claude Duvalier, also known as "Baby Doc", was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957.
He is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule.
Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies.
Like his father, he relied on a brutal private militia known as the "Tontons Macoutes", a Creole word for "bogeyman', which controlled Haiti through violence and intimidation.
For the former foreign secretary, Victor Gomez Berges the return of the son of the dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier was not a personal action, not moved by anyone from Haiti, "everything indicates that it is led by the United States, by the U.S. government looking for ways to establish a government that is not only related to him, but is a strong government capable of bringing order to the neighboring republic. "
He said that this is a message to the international community not to allow the current Haitian President René Préval to remain in that position beyond the 7 March elections. He stated that apparently the plan is an election involving the former dictator.
He said he did not think possible eventual entry to the country of Jean Bertrand Aristide, because it would increase instability in the neighboring country.
"Duvalier is more prone to the United States, more pro-American that Aristide and what Americans are looking for is how to organize Haiti, with a firm government." He said that if a government can control the situation in Haiti, it would be favorable for the Dominican Republic.
Soto Jimenez
For the former Armed Forces minister, historian and essayist José Miguel Soto Jiménez the return of former Haitian dictator is surprising within the context of the current political crisis in that country, although there has long been speculation of the possibility of a return.
"This development represents a setback, however, taking into account democracy," he said.
Hugo Tolentino Dipp
Former Foreign Minister Hugo Tolentino Dipp defined the situation as strange and said he would be analyzing the coming events. It is strange that a man who was a dictator is received as a kind of godsend, he indicated.
"I wonder whether there will be impediments, how they will act now, the Justice, the government, the order, and the situation is you do not know if this will really help or create more problems," he reflected.
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