History - Haiti Observer Blog

Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a Roman Catholic priest of the Salesian order who later turned into a Haitian politician, became Haiti's first elected president by winning the Haitian first free democratic election between 1990 and 1991, with 67% of the votes and became the President of the nation on February 7, 1991. However, he was deposed on September 30, 1991. Aristide was ousted in a coup led by Haitian Army General Raoul Cédras, Army Chief of Staff Phillipe Biamby and Chief of the National Police, Michel François. His life was saved by the intervention of the US, French and Venezuelan diplomats and he was sent into exile. He lived in there until October 15, 1994, when the Haitian military, faced with a U.S. invasion under Clinton, agreed to let Aristide return to power and he resumed his presidency.

Read more →  

Did you know that there is a plan for China to build a cable car line linking Labadee with Citadelle Laferriere? We just learned that China is getting more involved in Haiti. It is already estimated that this Cable car line project will greatly improve tourism in Haiti. Once this project is accomplished, Royal Caribbean will be able to offer its passengers more than a breathtaking scenery, incredible thrills and spectacular water activities at their private beach destination in Labadee. They will be able to offer them tours to the historic Haiti site of Citadelle Laferriere in very safe conditions.

Read more →  

The U.S occupation of Haiti began on 28 July 1915 by the U.S. Marines, to protect its citizens from civil unrest and that lasted until 1934. It is also often recalled as an attempt to finance US efforts in the first European World War through the complete control of Haiti's revenue, generated from the export of sugar, coffee, banana, sisal and rubber. Thus, 28 July 2015 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the US occupation in Haiti.

While the present UN military force (MINUSTAH) is reaching its 11th year, many political observers are watchful to find similarity between the earlier occupation and the present occupation by the MINUSTAH. In October 2010, the UN soldiers from Nepal had introduced cholera epidemic in the country that took over 8000 lives. Moreover, the present foreign domination has become the root causes of several violations at all possible levels, whether it is economic, human, civil, cultural or key decisions involving country's progress. With their extreme negative consequences, a collective reflection is very important because it has enough potential to inspire patriotism.

Read more →  

Barbados Reparations Task Force leads Quest for Slavery Compensation

The International Black Reparations Summit was hosted by New York City in early April. Participating nations included CARICOM (representing the Caribbean), France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, South America, and the U.S. Many high-profile invitees attended including U.S. activists Jesse Jackson of PUSH and Danny Glover, African-American actor. They were among those representing the fields of academics, law, politics, activism, and history.

Many aggrieved nations have been seeking reparations for the descendants of African slaves transported along the Atlantic corridor. Martinique, for example, filed for reparations from France in 2005 for a sum of 200 billion Euros to compensate for the damage Martinique slave descendants suffered as a result of displacement from their homeland.

Read more →  

As the political crisis continues in Haiti between President Michel Martelly and the various groups in opposition, the two sides seem to get ready for a major fight. As far a I am concerned, they are heading straight to a total destruction, the ultimate battle, just like the one conducted by the forces of freedom during the colonization period in Saint-Domingue which was called the Battle of Vertières.

The Battle of Vertières took place less than two months before Haiti Proclamation of Independent. Probably one of the most important battles in the Haitian revolution, the battle of Vertières was between the expeditionary forces of the French and the Haitian rebels. Fought on November 18, 1803, the battle would be the second major one of the Second War of Haitian Independence, as well as the last part of the François Capois-led portion of the Haitian revolution.

Read more →  

A recent expedition by archeological investigators on the north coast of Haiti suggests that, more than 500 years after it sank, the wreckage of 'Santa Maria', the flagship vessel of Christopher Columbus' might be sitting on at the bottom of the ocean near Haiti since the Christmas Day, 1492. Barry Clifford, an explorer well known for discovering the remains of a wrecked pirate ship 'Whydah' in 1984 and more recently Captain Kidd's flagship off Madagascar, was the leader of this expedition team. As per his statement, the detailed marine archaeological evidence strongly suggests that the wreck is 'Santa Maria' that Columbus used on his first voyage in 1492. Perhaps we remember that, along with Santa Maria, Columbus used two other smaller ships, Santa Clara or La Niña and La Pinta--all the three ships were very old, never suitable for any exploration adventure. Santa Maria ran aground, and the waves smashed it to pieces. Leaving some of his men to build a fort, Columbus had returned to Spain in La Niña.

Read more →  

On Saturday, March 22, 2014, The city of Jeremie was in crisis as a major fire erupted in the Historic center.

Despite the attempt of the local Fire Department to control the fire, it did not stop the fire from spreading which consumed several homes in the area.

Coincidentally, the fire took place during a visit by the Martelly-Lamothe Government on the occasion of the program "Gouvènman Lakay ou"

Dife nan Jeremy. Anpil Kay boule nan nan yon Katye istorik Jeremy-an. Malgre effort ponpye, sa pa te ampeche plizye_ kay te boule.

Read more →  

The Haitian Earthquake is the worst earthquake disaster in recent memory. On the fourth anniversary of this devastating earthquake, Maxine waters, the Congresswoman who is better known as a leading advocate for the Haitian people in the U.S. Congress, introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor the 210th anniversary of Haiti's independence. Ms. Water along with four other members like John Conyers, Barbara Lee, Yvette Clarke and Frederica S. Wilson, have released a statement to honor those affected in that natural disaster in 2010 and salute the strength and resilience of the most vulnerable nation on the Western hemisphere--the Haitian people.

Read more →  

The 210th Anniversary Of Haiti Independence was celebrated in Gonaives with many dignitaries present in Gonaives for the occasion. In a sign of unity, president Michel Martelly had invited several former Haitian presidents to join him in Gonaives for the occasion. Unfortunately, only two showed up: Jean Claude Duvalier and Prosper Avril.

Why is that?

Annou fouye pi fon!