‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier returns to Haiti
Former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as Baby Doc, returned to Haiti on Sunday after spending nearly 25 years in exile in France. Duvalier became president of Haiti in 1971 when his father, Francois ?Papa Doc? Duvalier died. Baby Doc was known for torturing his opponents, and was accused of massive embezzlement; many considered him more of a dictator than a president. A popular revolt overthrew Baby Doc in 1986, ending nearly three decades of Duvalier rule. What are the implications of Baby Doc’s return to the country in unstable times? Does the former leader return to lend aid or grasp political opportunity?
For the latest on Duvalier’s return is Jacqueline Charles, Caribbean correspondent for The Miami Herald. To give us a sense for Duvalier’s legacy in Haiti is Laurent Dubois, professor at Duke University and author of the forthcoming book “Haiti: The Aftershocks of History.”
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