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The military is in control of Haiti when its favoured candidate, Dr. François "Papa Doc" Duvalier, wins the presidential election in September.
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VIDEO: Life and death in Duvalier's Haiti May 15, 1963 [26:59]<br>
<a href='http://archives.radio-canada.ca/politique/international/dossiers/3677/ >Videos about the Duvaliers in the Radio-Canada Digital Archive</a> (in French) -
Their official name was the National Security Volunteers (VSN), but they are better known as the Tonton Macoutes (Tontons Makout), which roughly translates as "bogeymen." Clément Barbot was their first chief.
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Duvalier creates the VSN after a failed coup attempt. -
Duvalier turns on his chief henchman, Clément Barbot, and throws him in jail. After his release in April 1963, Barbot sets out to get even. There was a belief that Barbot could escape Duvalier's men by turning himself into a black dog, so it is said that Duvalier ordered that all black dogs be shot.
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Duvalier has Haiti's constitution rewritten so that he can stay in office for life. After a referendum on the new constitution, Duvalier is officially named "President for Life."
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Jean-Claude Duvalier, then 19, takes over as president a day after the death of his father, François Duvalier.
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Transparency International estimates that while in office, 'Baby Doc' embezzled between $300 million US and $800 million US. -
John Paul II is the first Pope to visit the country. During an outdoor mass at Port-au-Prince's airport, he tells Duvalier and the Haitian elite that they have a "serious and urgent responsibility with respect to their brothers and sisters." He also publicly endorses the slogan of the country's Eucharistic Congress: "Something must change here."
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The Duvalier family leaves Haiti on a U.S. cargo plane after riots break out across the country. A national council of civilian and military leaders takes control, with Gen. Henri Namphy as president.
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Exiled Haiti ruler can reclaim $4.6M: Swiss court (Feb. 3, 2010) -
After a very bloody campaign, elections are held but later suspended by the military. On voting day, at least 22 voters are shot dead and 67 wounded, mostly at polling stations. The military and Tontons Makout are believed to be responsible for the shootings.
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Less than 10 per cent of voters turn out for a military-sponsored election, the first in Haiti since the Duvalier era. The winner, Leslie-François Manigat, is deposed in a military coup five months later. Namphy declares himself head of a military government and abolishes the 1987 constitution.
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Jean-Bertrand Aristide wins a landslide presidential victory in internationally supervised elections, taking 67 per cent of the votes.
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A military coup sends Aristide into exile, eventually in the U.S.
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Faced with the threat of a U.S. invasion, the military regime agrees to hand over power to Aristide, and the United Nations lifts sanctions against Haiti's military rulers. The U.S. then sends in troops to occupy Haiti, sanctioned by the UN.
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Three years after he was overthrown, Aristide returns from exile to resume his presidency.
<br>VIDEO: Battling poverty in Port-Au-Prince (Oct. 9, 1994) -
The Lavalas Platform, a three-party coalition endorsed by Aristide, is victorious in general elections. International observers report violations of election procedures, including unopened ballots, poor ballot distribution and lack of information for voters.
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Aristide's hand-picked successor, René Préval, is elected president. Haiti's government soon lapses into disarray as a divided legislature is unable to approve government budgets or authorize distribution of foreign aid.
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Aristide is elected president for the second time, and his Lavalas Platform wins a majority of seats in both legislative houses. The international community questions fairness of elections and opposition parties boycott them.
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Aristide wins overwhelming majority in Haiti vote
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<a href='http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2000/05/21/haiti_election000521.html' >Voting ends, counting begins in Haiti. -
Aristide is sworn in as president; his political rivals deny the legitimacy of his government and continue to demand new elections. Amnesty International says human rights and the rule of law has diminished in Haiti, citing harassment of opposition politicians and attacks on journalists.
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Haiti tense on presidential inauguration day -
Heavily armed assailants seize the National Palace in the early hours. According to a report from the Organization of American States, they announced that "Aristide was no longer president and that Guy Philippe (photo) was the new commander." The coup, in which about five people died, is put down in a matter of hours.<br>
Aristide unhurt in attempted coup -
Haiti marks the 200th anniversary of its independence from France; supporters and opponents of Aristide stage demonstrations.
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Political division marks Haiti's bicentennial -
Aristide, facing violent street protests and charges of corruption from the opposition, announces that parliamentary elections will be held within six months.<br>
Aristide's plan for parliamentary elections criticized -
Four days of rioting cause as many as 40 deaths and widespread looting. Pressure is put on Aristide to resign. Aristide says he will serve out his term, which runs until 2006. The opposition is accused of mounting a coup to overthrow Aristide.
Dozens of people are killed in riots in Gonaïves, St. Marc and Grand Goâve, where rebels set fires and block roads. -
Rebels capture Cap-Haïtien, the country's second-largest city. About 50 U.S. marines land in Haiti to protect the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. facilities.
<br>U.S. marines land in Haiti<br>
Coup d'état in motion, Haiti's PM warns<br>
Canada kicks in $1 million for Haiti -
Haiti's political opposition rejects an international peace plan.
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France blames Aristide for Haiti chaos
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Haiti's democratic opposition rejects peace plan <br> Haiti's Aristide asks the world for help -
Aristide resigns the presidency and flees Haiti as rebels approach the capital. The United Nations Security Council unanimously approves a multinational military force to restore order in the country.
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Aristide leaves office, flees Haiti
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UN backs U.S.-led force in Haiti -
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, from exile in the Central African Republic, accuses the U.S. of forcing him out of office in a coup d'état. French troops arrive in Port-au-Prince as part of the UN-approved international force. Rebel forces enter the capital and its suburbs.
<br><a
href="http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2004/03/01/newhaiti040301.html">Troops begin to restore order in Haiti</a>
<br>The crisis in Haiti: Roots of revolution -
Rebel leader Guy Philippe says he wants to rebuild and lead Haiti's military.<br>
Haitian rebel leader declares himself military chief
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PHOTO GALLERY: Anarchy in Port-au-Prince, by Stephen Puddicombe -
Canada decides to send 425 troops to Haiti for a 90-day mission. The force includes three infantry platoons, six helicopters and members of India Company. They will help patrol, provide humanitarian assistance, assist police and provide protection.
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Canada to send more soldiers to Haiti
<br>Haitian rebels to lay down arms -
Two rivers on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti burst their banks because of torrential rains, causing floods that kill about 1,400 people in the two countries.
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Death toll raised in Dominican Republic, Haiti flooding
<br>Food, supplies shipped to Haiti aid effort -
The UN assumes responsibility for security in Haiti, forming a force of 8,000 army troops and police from 30 countries, to be led by Brazilian Gen. Augusto Heleno Ribeiro.
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UN peacekeeping force arrives in flood-ravaged Haiti -
Prime Minister Paul Martin announces that 100 Canadian police officers, mostly from the RCMP, will be stationed in Haiti for two years.
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Canada sends 100 police to Haiti -
The last contingent of Canadian troops, 82 soldiers from CFB Gagetown, N.B., and CFB Trenton, Ont., returns from Haiti. A handful of Canadian soldiers remains in Haiti to oversee the shipment of heavy equipment back to Canada.
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Hurricane Jeanne strikes Haiti, causing flooding and mudslides in the northwest of the country, especially Gonaïves.
<br>Tensions mount in aftermath of Jeanne
<br>More than 1,000 dead in Haiti
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PHOTO GALLERY: Haiti floods<br>
PHOTO GALLERY: After the hurricane (Stephen Puddicombe) -
Hundreds of UN peacekeepers swarm the Port-au-Prince slum of Cité Soleil in an attempt to re-establish law and order. The actions take place just days after interim prime minister Gérard Latortue (photo) met with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin in Montreal.
<br>UN peacekeepers invade Haiti slum
<br>Canada to help rebuild Haiti's judicial system -
Hurricane Dennis strikes Haiti, causing at least 56 deaths and leaving 1,500 families homeless.<br>
The same day a military operation by UN troops in Cité Soleil claims about 26 lives.<br>
Haiti, Cuba tally hurricane deaths
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Photo Gallery: Dennis in Florida -
Hurricane Wilma, the most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, leads to at least 12 deaths in Haiti.
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Storm kills 10 before folding into Wilma<br>
Wilma could grow into 'major' hurricane<br>
Wilma helps 2005 storm season tie record -
After four postponements, Haitians vote in the first presidential elections in six years. It will take more than a week to determine the outcome: René Préval is elected president for the second time.<br>
Préval declared winner in Haiti
<br>Key Players (Indepth: Haiti) <br>
PHOTO GALLERY: Election Week -
Haiti's president-elect, René Préval, says he's ready to end the exile of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Aristide was forced to flee after a violent rebellion and says he's ready to come out of exile. Préval was once a protégé of Aristide.<br>
Haiti's Préval ready to welcome Aristide back home<br>
Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Indepth: Haiti) -
Canadian Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean begins a four-day visit to Haiti, the country of her birth. She attends the inauguration of president-elect René Préval.
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Governor General visits Haiti<br>
PHOTO GALLERY: Governor General in Haiti -
Two months after his election – and two years after the ouster of Jean-Bertrand Aristide – René Préval is sworn in as president of Haiti. It is the second time Préval holds the office.<br>
Haitian president calls for peace as 4,500 troops patrol the streets -
Responding to international pressure, Préval agrees to an assault on Cité Soleil by UN troops. About 20 people are killed. More military incursions take place in the Port-au-Prince slum over the following months.
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At least 5 dead as UN moves against Haitian gangs -
The Haitian senate dismisses Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis after more than a week of demonstrations over rising food prices.
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UN soldier killed in Haiti:
Senate ousts PM over handling of food crisis<br>
AUDIO: The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti interviews journalist Guyler Delva and analyst Peter Hallward (April 15) -
Tropical Storm Fay lashes Haiti and the Dominican Republic with torrential rains and floods that kill at least 10 people in Haiti.
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Tropical storm Fay bears down on Cuba, Florida Keys -
Hurricane Gustav triggers floods and landslides that kill 59 people in Haiti.
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Gustav claims 67 lives in Haiti and Dominican <br>
1 dead as Hurricane Gustav slams Haiti -
Hurricane Hanna drenches flood-plagued Haiti, leaving behind at least 529 dead.
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Families in Gonaïves scramble onto rooftops and scream for help as UN peacekeepers and rescue convoys try in vain to reach the city.
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Storm's impact on Haiti 'bad as it can be': UN
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Michèle Pierre-Louis becomes Haiti's prime minister. Her nomination is ratified by the Senate July 31, ending more than three months of political bickering and deadlock in parliament.
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Haitian lawmakers ratify PM, end deadlock -
Hurricane Ike brings more flooding. In three weeks, four storms kill 793 people.<br>Ike rips into eastern Cuba; on track for Havana
<br>Haiti faces long recovery from Ike, says singer Wyclef Jean<br>Canadian government boosts relief aid to storm
<br>PHOTO GALLERY: Tracking Ike -
President René Préval tells the UN General Assembly that his country requires long-term reconstruction efforts, beyond immediate food and disaster relief.
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"We have to break this paradigm of charity in our approach to international co-operation … because charity has never helped any country to get out of underdevelopment," he says.
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Haiti needs long-term help after storms, says UN official
<br>Haiti's food crisis deepens after floods -
The collapse of La Promesse Collège Évangélique in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Pétionville kills at least 94 children and teachers. The preacher who owned and built the school is arrested Nov. 8 and charged with involuntary manslaughter.<br>
More survivors under collapsed Haiti school<br>Owner of collapsed Haiti school arrested
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2nd school collapses in Haiti -
About 500 demonstrators march through St. Marc in western Haiti in what organizers call the Caribbean nation's first openly gay march. A dozen men wear T-shirts declaring "I am gay" and "I am living with HIV/AIDS." HIV programs have helped decrease Haiti's infection rate by two-thirds in the last decade. <i>(Associated Press photo)</i>
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Few voters turn out for Senate elections in which candidates from former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party are not allowed to run. "In Haiti clear-plastic ballot boxes were nearly as empty as Port-au-Prince's unusually deserted streets ," the Associated Press reports.<br>
UN delegation praises Haitian party's fight to run Senate candidates (March 14) -
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announces that former U.S. president Bill Clinton has been appointed the UN envoy to Haiti.
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Clinton named UN envoy to Haiti<br>
Haiti needs more foreign aid: Moon, Clinton (March 9) -
Voters again stay away from the second round of Senate elections despite government efforts to improve the low voter turnout of the first round.
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Canada forgives $2.3 million in debt owed by Haiti as part of a plan that aims to relieve the world's poorest countries of $1.3 billion in debt.
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Canada cancels Haiti's $2.3M debt
<br>VIDEO: Haiti struggles to rebuild. (Claude Adams reports, Oct. 11, 2009) -
Haiti's Senate removes Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis from office. President René Préval names Jean-Max Bellerive as his choice for PM. Bellerive takes office Nov.11.
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Haitian prime minister removed by Senate<br>
Un nouveau premier ministre -
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake, whose epicentre is 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, hits at 4:53 p.m. ET.
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FULL COVERAGE: Haiti earthquake -
At the UN the International Donors' Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti raises $10 billion in pledges. Donors' Conference: The next challenge in Haiti
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In October an outbreak of cholera began in the Artibonite region of Haiti and soon spread throughout the country. By Oct. 21 tests had confirmed to health professionals it was cholera. Cholera outbreak kills 194 in Haiti
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The first round of Haiti's presidential elections took place amidst controversy. Turnout was very low, with Mirlande Manigat emerging as the first round leader. Haitians protest election results
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Former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier returned to Haiti from France, 25 years after he fled. 'Baby Doc' to explain return to Haiti: wife
