Haiti

1994-1996According to UN Human Rights Commission’s estimates, some 3,000 people have died violently in the country since after the coup that overthrew Jean-Bertrand Aristide. In 1996, the Truth and Justice Commission released a report featuring over 5,000 records of crimes committed by the military regime.

1990Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president, but he was toppled by a coup d’etat commanded by Brigadier General Rauol Cedras on September 30, 1991.

21/01/1971-feb./1986During his term in office, riots and ever-growing popular demonstrations occurred throughout the country. The U.S. ceased all economic assistance and under these circumstances Duvalier left the country. A National Government Council took over the nation. Duvalier’s departure put an end to one of the most tyrannical dictatorships in modern history that made Haiti one of the world’s poorest nations.

He exerted an absolute power as a life president. He dragged the entire country to an incredible state of misery. He violently cracked down on all demonstrations against him. He ruled the nation until his death; his son replaced him as life president, too.

1934Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Haiti.

1804General Dessalines proclaims the island’s independence underscoring the name of Haiti. From that moment on, an outbreak of domestic squabbles for power commences and extends through the whole 19th and 20th Centuries. On May 1915, the U.S. occupation of the island occurs.

17th CenturyThis Republic’s true origin dates back to the early 17th Century. During the French-Spanish War, French rulers were bending over backward to foster expeditions of filibusters, pirates and boar hunters

1791Black slaves brought from Africa rioted on several occasions. In 1791, led by Toussaint Louverture, a major rebellion takes place, but Louverture is apprehended and banished to France where he died.