The Leopard Corps in Haiti During Jean Claude Duvalier Reign

In the picture above, former Haitian Dictator Jean Claude Duvalier wearing a Military camouflage uniform from Haiti Leopard Corps. He is accompanied wife Michele Bennett.

The Leopard Corp was estimated at 700 member, a tactical unit created in the early 1970s and based in Petion-Ville. T functions of the Leopard Corps often superseded its counterinsurgency functions.

The Leopards counterinsurgency unit which was better trained and required a higher academic level of its members provided Jean Claude Duvalier regime with a relatively modern tool for responding to internal threats. In addition, the Leopards provided Jean Claude allegiance and at the same time represented a third military force in the country bridging the gap and mistrust that existed between the Haitian Armed Forces, also known as Forces Armees d'Haïti, (FAD'H) and the Tontons Macoutes, Volontaires de la Securite Nationale (VSN).

Following the creation of the the Leopard Corps, FAD'H became les and less relevant. Throughout the 1980s, they were a mere shadow of the newly powerful, disciplined and trained institution the Leopards. The influence of the VSN was diminishing as well. Finally, the Leopards were disbanded in 1989.

Popular violence had erupted in Haiti in 1984 and continued into early 1986. The Jean-Claude Duvalier regime that was not able to rely on the VSN and FAD'H to curb the popular revolt as his father has done in the past did not have any choice but to leave.

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