Editing Jean-Claude Duvalier (section)

===Destabilisation===
In response to an outbreak of [[African swine fever virus]] on the island in 1978, U.S. agricultural authorities insisted upon total eradication of [[Creole pig|Haiti's pig population]] in 1982.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Abrams|first=Elliott|date=November 2014|title=Getting Rid of Baby Doc|url=https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/getting-rid-of-baby-doc/|journal=Commentary|volume=138|pages=27–30|issn=0010-2601}}</ref> The Program for the Eradication of Porcine Swine Fever and for the Development of Pig Raising ([[PEPPADEP]]) spread already-serious economic devastation among the peasant population, who bred pigs as an investment.<ref name="Ebert1985">{{cite web|url=http://multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/issues/1985/12/ebert-porkbarrel.html |title=Porkbarreling Pigs in Haiti: North American 'Swine Aid' an Economic Disaster for Haitian Peasants |work=Multinational Monitor |volume=6 |issue=18 |date=1985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003033009/http://multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/issues/1985/12/ebert-porkbarrel.html |archive-date= 3 October 2006 |url-status=live |first=Allan |last=Ebert |location=Washington, DC |issn=0197-4637 }}</ref>

In addition, reports that [[HIV/AIDS]] was becoming a major problem in Haiti caused tourism to decline dramatically in the early 1980s. By the mid-1980s, most Haitians expressed hopelessness and despair, as economic conditions further worsened and hunger and malnutrition spread.<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelinghaiti.com/history_of_haiti/jean-claude_duvalier.asp |title=History of Haiti – Jean-Claude Duvalier, 1971–86 |work=travelinghaiti.com |access-date=7 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728133658/http://www.travelinghaiti.com/history_of_haiti/jean-claude_duvalier.asp |archive-date=28 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Widespread discontent began manifesting further in March 1983, when [[Pope John Paul II]] visited Haiti. The pontiff declared that "things must change in Haiti", and he called on "all those who have power, riches and culture so that they can understand the serious and urgent responsibility to help their brothers and sisters".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6tkvAAAAIBAJ&pg=7222,4661909 |title='Things in Haiti must change,' pope tells Duvalier |page=15 |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |date=10 March 1983 |issn=1064-7317 |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |quote=The Roman Catholic pontiff responded with a stern lecture to the island country's tiny moneyed elite, telling the 31-year-old president-for-life of the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, ‘Things must change in Haiti.’&nbsp;... ‘I call on all those who have power, riches and culture so that they can understand the serious and urgent responsibility to help their brothers and sisters,’ {{bracket|[[Pope John&nbsp;Paul&nbsp;II]]}} said.}}</ref> He called for a more equitable distribution of income, a more egalitarian social structure, and increased popular participation in public life. This message revitalized both laymen and clergy, contributed to increased popular mobilization and expanded political and social activism.<ref name=Metz/>

A revolt began in the provinces in 1985. The city of [[Gonaïves]] was the first to have street demonstrations and raids on food-distribution warehouses. From October 1985 to January 1986, the protests spread to six other cities, including [[Cap-Haïtien]]. By the end of that month, Haitians in the south had revolted. The most significant rioting there broke out in [[Les Cayes]].<ref name=Metz/>

Duvalier responded with a 10 percent cut in staple [[food prices]], the closing of independent radio stations, a cabinet reshuffle, and a crackdown by police and army units, but these moves failed to dampen the momentum of the popular uprising against the dynastic dictatorship. Duvalier's wife and advisers, intent on maintaining their grip on power, urged him to put down the rebellion and remain in office.<ref name=Metz/>