Editing Jean-Claude Duvalier

{{Short description|President of Haiti from 1971 to 1986}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox President
| image               = Baby Doc (centrée).jpg
| caption             = Duvalier in 2011
| order               = 35th
| office              = President of Haiti
| term_start          = 22 April 1971
| term_end            = 7 February 1986
| primeminister       = 
| predecessor         = [[François Duvalier]]
| successor           = [[Henri Namphy]]
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=y|1951|7|3}}<ref name=Guardian2014/>
| birth_place         = [[Port-au-Prince]], [[Republic of Haiti (1859–1957)|Haiti]]
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=y|2014|10|04|1951|7|3}}
| death_place         = Port-au-Prince, Haiti
| resting_place       = <!-- Cremated, ashes given to family -->
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Michèle Bennett]]|27 May 1980|19 June 1990|end=div}}
| partner             = {{#ifexist:Véronique Roy|[[Véronique Roy]]<br/>(since 1990)}}
| father              = François Duvalier
| mother              = [[Simone Duvalier|Simone Ovide]]
| children            = 2
| residence           = 
| alma_mater          = [[University of Haiti]]
| occupation          = 
| profession          = 
| party               = [[National Unity Party (Haiti)|PUN]]
| signature           = 
| website             = 
| footnotes           = 
| nickname            = Baby Doc
}}{{Jean-Claude Duvalier sidebar}}
'''Jean-Claude Duvalier''' ({{IPA|fr|ʒɑ̃klod dyvalje|lang}}; 3 July 1951{{spnd}}4 October 2014), nicknamed "'''Baby Doc'''" ({{langx|fr|Bébé Doc}}, {{langx|ht|Bebe Dòk}}), was a Haitian [[dictator]] who held the [[President of Haiti|presidency of Haiti]] from 1971 until he was overthrown by a [[Anti-Duvalier protest movement|popular uprising]] in February 1986. He succeeded his father [[François Duvalier|François "Papa Doc" Duvalier]] as the ruler of [[Haiti]] after his death in 1971. After assuming power, he introduced cosmetic changes to his father's regime and delegated much authority to his advisors. Thousands of Haitians were tortured and killed, and hundreds of thousands fled the country during his presidency.<ref name="Cook2011">{{cite web|first1=Lonzo |last1=Cook |first2=Kim |last2=Segal |first3=John |last3=Zarrella |first4=Mary |last4= Snow |first5=Moni |last5=Basu | display-authors = 3 |url= http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/01/18/haiti.duvalier/ |title=Charges filed against 'Baby&nbsp;Doc' Duvalier in Haiti |publisher=CNN |date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119042306/http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/01/18/haiti.duvalier/ |archive-date=19 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> He maintained a notoriously lavish lifestyle (including a state-sponsored [[United States dollar|US$]]2{{nbsp}}million wedding in 1980) while poverty among his people remained the most widespread of any country in the [[Western Hemisphere]].<ref name="Life110310">{{citation |mode=cs1 |url= http://www.life.com/image/82275227/in-gallery/22899/the-worlds-worst-dictators |title='Firm as a Monkey Tail': Jean‑Claude 'Baby&nbsp;Doc' Duvalier |magazine= [[Life (magazine)|Life]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090627022813/http://www.life.com/image/82275227/in-gallery/22899/the-worlds-worst-dictators |archive-date=27 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Relations with the United States improved after Duvalier's ascension to the presidency, and later deteriorated under the [[Presidency of Jimmy Carter|Carter administration]], only to normalize under [[Ronald Reagan]] due to the strong [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]] stance of the Duvaliers.<ref name="Abbott2011">{{cite book |last=Abbott |first=Elizabeth |author-link=Elizabeth Abbott |title=Haiti: A Shattered Nation |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dDIjCQAAQBAJ |date=2011 |publisher= The Overlook Press |location=New York |isbn=978-1-59020-989-9 |lccn=2013496344 |oclc=859201061 |ol=25772018M |others=Rev. and updated from ''Haiti: The Duvaliers and Their Legacy''&nbsp;(1988)}}</ref> Rebellion against the Duvalier regime broke out in 1985, and Duvalier fled to [[France]] in 1986 on a [[U.S. Air Force]] flight.

Duvalier unexpectedly returned to Haiti on 16 January 2011, after two decades in self-imposed exile in France. The following day, he was arrested by [[Haitian National Police|Haitian police]], facing possible charges for [[embezzlement]].<ref name= Life110310/> On 18 January, Duvalier was charged with corruption.<ref name= Guardian011811>{{cite news |first=Rory |last=Carroll |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/18/haiti-baby-doc-duvalier-court |title='Baby Doc' Duvalier charged with corruption in Haiti |work=The Guardian |date=18 January 2011 |access-date=18 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-03 |title=Revealing the Ultimate 2020 List: The 10 Most Corrupt Politicians in the World - The Sina Times |url=https://www.sinatimes.com/2020/01/03/revealing-the-ultimate-2020-list-the-10-most-corrupt-politicians-in-the-world/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |language=en-US |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103131453/https://www.sinatimes.com/2020/01/03/revealing-the-ultimate-2020-list-the-10-most-corrupt-politicians-in-the-world/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 28 February 2013, Duvalier pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and human rights abuse.<ref name="Valme2013">{{cite web|first=Jean |last=Valme |url= http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/28/17136615-ex-haiti-dictator-baby-doc-duvalier-faces-corruption-charges-for-first-time-since-revolt |title=Ex‑Haiti dictator 'Baby&nbsp;Doc' Duvalier faces corruption charges for first time since revolt |publisher=NBC News |date=28 February 2013 |archive-date= 8 December 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208012451/http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/28/17136615-ex-haiti-dictator-baby-doc-duvalier-faces-corruption-charges-for-first-time-since-revolt |url-status=live |agency= Reuters }}</ref> He died of a heart attack on 4 October 2014, at the age of 63.

[[Transparency International]] determined that the money embezzled by Duvalier was the sixth most embezzled by a sitting head of government between 1984 and 2004.<ref>Transparency International. (2004). ''Global Corruption Report 2004''. Pluto Press.</ref>

==Early life==
The son of [[Simone Duvalier|Simone Ovide]], a [[Mulatto Haitians|Mulatto-Haitian]] woman, and [[François Duvalier]], a [[Afro-Haitians|black]] [[Black nationalism|nationalist]] anti-mulatto leader who became dictator of Haiti, Duvalier was born in [[Port-au-Prince]] and was brought up in an isolated environment. He attended Nouveau College Bird and [[Institution Saint-Louis de Gonzague]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/26/archives/at-19-president-for-life-jeanclaude-duvalier.html |title=At 19, President for Life Jean-Claude Duvalier |date=26 April 1971 |work=The New York Times |access-date=5 February 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Later, he studied law at the [[University of Haiti]] under the direction of several professors, including Maître Gérard Gourgue.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/05/world/critic-of-duvalier-is-most-trusted-man-in-haitian-junta.html |title=Critic of Duvalier Is Most Trusted Man in Haitian Junta |last=Simons |first=Marlise |date=5 March 1986 |work=The New York Times |access-date=5 February 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==President of Haiti==
In April 1971, he assumed the presidency of Haiti at the age of 19 upon the death of his father, [[François Duvalier]] (nicknamed "Papa Doc"), becoming the world's youngest president, as well as the only non-royal state leader under the age of 20.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/23/archives/duvalier-64-dies-in-haiti-son-19-is-new-president-president.html| title=Duvalier, 64, Dies in Haiti; Son, 19, Is New President|date=23 April 1971|authorlink= Homer Bigart| first = Homer | last= Bigart | work= The New York Times|access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/26/archives/at-19-president-for-life-jeanclaude-duvalier.html|title=At 19, President for Life Jean-Claude Duvalier |date=26 April 1971|work=The New York Times|access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Shaw |first=Karl |title=Power Mad! |trans-title= Šílenství mocných |year= 2005 |orig-year=2004 |publisher= Metafora |location=Praha |language=cs |isbn=80-7359-002-6 |page=52}}</ref> Initially, Jean-Claude Duvalier resisted the dynastic arrangement that had made him Haiti's leader, having preferred that the presidency go to his older sister Marie-Denise Duvalier. He was content to leave substantive and administrative matters in the hands of his mother, [[Simone Duvalier|Simone Ovide Duvalier]], and a committee led by [[Luckner Cambronne]], his father's Interior Minister, while he attended ceremonial functions and lived as a [[playboy (lifestyle)|playboy]].<ref name= "Abbott2011" /> 

===Political and economic factors===
Duvalier was invested with absolute power by the constitution. He took some steps to reform the regime, by releasing some [[political prisoner]]s and easing press [[censorship]]. However, there were no substantive changes to the regime's basic character. Opposition was not tolerated, and the legislature remained a [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber stamp]].{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Much of the Duvaliers' wealth came from the Régie du Tabac (Tobacco Administration). Duvalier used this "non-fiscal account", established decades earlier, as a [[tobacco]] [[monopoly]], but he later expanded it to include the proceeds from other government enterprises and used it as a [[slush fund]] for which no balance sheets were ever kept.<ref name= Metz/>

By neglecting his role in government, Duvalier squandered considerable domestic and foreign goodwill and facilitated the dominance of Haitian affairs by a clique of hardline Duvalierist cronies, the so-called "dinosaurs". Foreign officials and observers also seemed tolerant toward Duvalier in areas such as [[human rights]] monitoring and foreign countries were more generous to him with economic assistance. The [[Presidency of Richard Nixon|Nixon administration]] restored the United States aid program for Haiti in 1971.<ref name=Metz>{{cite book | last= Metz| first= Helen Chapin | author-link=Helen Chapin Metz | title = Dominican Republic and Haiti : Country Studies| publisher = Federal Research Division, Library of Congress| location= Washington, D.C.| date = December 1989| isbn=0-8444-1044-6}}</ref>

===Marriage===
On 27 May 1980, Duvalier married divorcee [[Michèle Bennett]] in a wedding that cost US$2{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="Abbott2011" /> The extravagance of the couple's wedding was criticized both by Haitian dissidents and the international press; though ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' reported that "the event{{nbsp}}... was enthusiastically received by a majority of Haitians".<ref name="Goodsell1980">{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1980/0715/071545.html |title=Haitians wonder which advisers will have Duvalier's ear |first=James Nelson |last=Goodsell |work=The Christian Science Monitor |location=Boston |issn=0882-7729 |date=15 July 1980 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928222047/http://www.csmonitor.com/1980/0715/071545.html#story |archive-date=28 September 2015 |url-status=live |quote=The&nbsp;... wedding was one of the most glittering events this capital city had ever seen. It cost perhaps $2&nbsp;million, and while some Haitians&nbsp;... question such an expenditure, the event in the view of longtime observers was enthusiastically received by a majority of Haitians. }}</ref> Discontent among the business community and elite intensified in response to increased corruption among the Duvaliers and the Bennett family's dealings, which included selling Haitian cadavers to foreign medical schools and trafficking in narcotics. Increased political repression added to the volatility of the situation.<ref name="Abbott2011" />

The marriage also estranged the old-line Duvalierists in the government from the younger [[technocracy|technocrats]] whom Duvalier had appointed, including Jean-Marie Chanoine, Frantz Merceron, Frantz-Robert Estime and Theo Achille. The Duvalierists' spiritual leader, Duvalier's mother, Simone Ovide Duvalier, was eventually expelled from Haiti, reportedly at the request of Michèle. With his wife Duvalier had two children, François Nicolas and Anya.<ref name="Moody1986">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960612-2,00.html |title=Haiti Bad Times for Baby&nbsp;Doc: As violent protests grow, a besieged dictator imposes martial law |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |last1=Moody |first1=John |author1-link=John Moody (journalist) |last2=Brelis |first2=Dean |author2-link=Dean Brelis |last3=Diederich |first3=Bernard |author3-link=Bernard Diederich |issn=0040-781X |date=10 February 1986 |volume=127 |issue=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330202055/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C960612-2%2C00.html |archive-date=30 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Over time, Michèle grew to become a power in her own right. For example, she dressed down ministers at cabinet meetings while her husband dozed.<ref name="Moody1986a">{{cite magazine|last1=Moody |first1=John |author-link=John Moody (journalist) |last2=Brelis |first2=Dean |author2-link=Dean Brelis |last3=Diederich |first3=Bernard |author3-link=Bernard Diederich |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960612-2,00.html |title=Haiti Bad Times for Baby&nbsp;Doc: As violent protests grow, a besieged dictator imposes martial law |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |issn=0040-781X |date=10 February 1986 |quote=While Jean‑Claude sometimes dozes through Cabinet meetings, his wife scolds ministers. |volume=127 |issue=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330202055/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C960612-2%2C00.html |archive-date=30 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===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/>

===Departure===
[[File:Fleeing Duvaliers.jpg|thumb|Jean-Claude and Michèle Duvalier en route to the airport to flee the country, 7 February 1986]]
In January 1986, the [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Reagan administration]] began to pressure Duvalier to renounce his rule and to leave Haiti. Representatives appointed by [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|Jamaican prime minister]] [[Edward Seaga]] served as intermediaries who carried out the negotiations. At this point a number of Duvalierists and business leaders met with the Duvaliers and pressed for their departure. The United States rejected a request to provide asylum for Duvalier, but offered to assist with their departure. On 30 January 1986, Duvalier had initially accepted, and President Reagan actually announced his departure based on a report from the Haitian CIA Station Chief who saw Duvalier's car head for the airport. Duvalier's party returned to the palace unnoticed by the U.S. intelligence team due to their motorcade being blocked by a gun battle.<ref name=Winslow>{{cite web |url=http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/namerica/haiti.html |title=Comparative Criminology – North America – Haiti |work=sdsu.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625160232/http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/rwinslow/namerica/haiti.html |archive-date=25 June 2010  }}</ref> Duvalier declared "we are as firm as a monkey tail" and decided against abdication. However, the Duvaliers made another attempt to depart on 7 February 1986, and this time they succeeded, flying to France on a U.S. Air Force aircraft.<ref name=Chamberlain>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/05/jean-claude-baby-doc-duvalier|title=Jean-Claude Duvalier obituary|last=Chamblerlain|first=Greg|date=5 October 2014|access-date=6 February 2018|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Moody1986"/>

==Exile==
The Duvaliers settled in France. For a time they lived a luxurious life, but eventually separated on 19 June 1990.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jean-Claude Duvalier Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/16/world/jean-claude-duvalier-fast-facts/ |access-date=19 October 2015 |publisher=CNN |date=24 June 2015}}</ref> Although he formally applied for [[Right of asylum|political asylum]], his request was denied by French authorities. Duvalier lost most of his wealth with his 1993 divorce from his wife.<ref name="Valbrun2003">{{cite news |first=Marjorie |last=Valbrun |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910075753/http://wehaitians.com/exile%20in%20france%20takes%20toll%20on%20ex%20tyrant%20baby%20doc.html |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105044205817716300 |title=A-hed: Exile in France Takes Toll On Ex‑Tyrant 'Baby&nbsp;Doc' |work=The Wall Street Journal |location=New York |issn=0099-9660 |date=16 April 2003 |archive-date=10 September 2015}}</ref>

In his years of exile, Duvalier made no known attempts to find employment or gain self-employment, nor did he ever try to get a book written about his experience. "All I know about is politics", he was quoted when asked about the lack of effort. Duvalier did take some courses at a university in France in an effort to sharpen his leadership skills.

A private citizen, named Jacques Samyn, unsuccessfully sued to expel Duvalier as an illegal immigrant (the Duvaliers were never officially granted asylum in France). In 1998, a Haitian-born photographer, [[Gérald Bloncourt]], formed a committee in Paris to bring Duvalier to trial. At the time, the French Ministry of the Interior said that it could not verify whether Duvalier still remained in the country due to the recently enacted [[Schengen Agreement]], which had abolished systematic border controls between France and the other participating countries.<ref name=Asylum>{{cite web | url=http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/haiti/baby-doc.htm | title=Haitian exiles want to take "Baby Doc" to court | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=December 8, 1998 | access-date=July 30, 2019 | agency=[[Reuters]] | website=Latin American Studies (Antonio Rafael de la Cova)}}</ref> However, Duvalier's lawyer Sauveur Vaisse said that his client was still in France and denied that the exiled leader had fallen on hard times.<ref name="Channel4">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/c-d/dictators3.html |title=History: Not just fade away: Jean‑Claude Duvalier |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007015309/http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/c-d/dictators3.html |archive-date= 7 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 2004 ''[[Global Corruption Report]]'' listed Duvalier as the sixth-most corrupt world leader{{spnd}}between [[Slobodan Milošević]] and [[Alberto Fujimori]]{{spnd}}having amassed between US$300{{nbsp}}million and US$800{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0921295.html |title=World's Ten Most Corrupt Leaders |publisher=[[Infoplease]] |access-date=6 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/content/download/4459/26786/file/Introduction_to_political_corruption.pdf |title=Global Corruption Report |publisher=[[Transparency International]] |access-date=6 August 2009 |archive-date=4 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704093500/http://www.transparency.org/content/download/4459/26786/file/Introduction_to_political_corruption.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following the ousting of president [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] in February 2004, Duvalier announced his intention to return to Haiti to run for president in the [[2006 Haitian general election|2006 elections]] for the [[National Unity Party (Haiti)|National Unity Party]]; however, he did not become a candidate.<ref name="vote">{{Cite news |date=2005-09-16 |title=Haiti vote attracts 30 candidates |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4253674.stm |access-date=2025-04-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

While apparently living modestly in exile, Duvalier did have supporters, who founded the François Duvalier Foundation in 2006 to highlight positive aspects of the Duvalier presidency, including the creation of most of Haiti's state institutions and improved access to education for the country's black majority.<ref name="Jacobs2007">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/23/AR2007042300203.html |title=Haiti: Loyalists Seek Dictator's Return |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=23 April 2007 |archive-url=https://timetravel.mementoweb.org/memento/20130205193411/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/23/AR2007042300203.html |archive-date= 5 February 2013 |url-status=live |first=Stevenson |last=Jacobs |agency=[[Associated Press]] |issn=0190-8286 }}</ref>

On 22–23 September 2007, an address by Duvalier to Haitians was broadcast by radio. Although he said exile had "broken" him, he also said that what he described as the improving fortunes of the National Unity Party had "reinvigorated" him, and he urged readiness among his supporters, without saying whether he intended to return to Haiti.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2007 |title=Exiled dictator apologizes for 'wrongs' in rare address to Haitians |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605231942/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070924-1436-haiti-duvalier.html |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> President [[René Préval]] rejected Duvalier's apology and, on 28 September, he said that, while Duvalier was constitutionally free to return to Haiti, he would face trial if he did so.<ref name="Olson2007">{{cite news |url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/world/20070928-1956-us-haiti.html |title=Haiti's president says ex‑dictator must face justice if he returns from exile |work=San Diego Union‑Tribune |issn=1063-102X |date=28 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083745/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/world/20070928-1956-us-haiti.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead |last=Olson |first=Alexandra |agency=Associated Press |access-date=5 January 2016 }}</ref> Duvalier's radio broadcast address was given in French and not [[Haitian Creole]], the language spoken by the majority of Haitians.<ref name="Carroll2007">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/26/international.mainsection |title=Penniless in exile, Baby Doc asks Haiti to forgive him |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006163208/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/sep/26/international.mainsection |archive-date= 6 October 2014 |url-status=live |last=Carroll |first=Rory |location=London |issn=0261-3077 }}</ref>

In February 2010, a Swiss court agreed to release more than US$4{{nbsp}}million to Duvalier,<ref name="Wilentz2010">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07wilentz.html?pagewanted=all |title=The ''Dechoukaj'' This Time |work=The New York Times |date=6 February 2010 |page=WK12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214144807/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07wilentz.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=14 February 2010 |url-status=live |first=Amy |last=Wilentz |author-link=Amy Wilentz |type=Opinion |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Last week, a Swiss court agreed to release more than $4&nbsp;million in no&nbsp;doubt ill‑gotten gains to Jean‑Claude Duvalier.}}</ref> although the Swiss Foreign Ministry said it would continue to block the release of the money.<ref name="BBC -4-feb-2010">{{Cite news |date=2010-02-04 |title=Swiss funds awarded to Baby Doc |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8497754.stm |access-date=2025-04-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Duvalier lived in Paris with Véronique Roy, his longtime companion, until his return to Haiti in late January 2011.<ref name="Valbrun2003"/>

==Return and death==
On 16 January 2011, during the [[2010–11 Haitian general election|presidential election]] campaign, Duvalier returned to Haiti after 25 years.<ref name="Kushner2011">{{cite news|first=Jacob |last=Kushner |url=http://www.salon.com/2011/01/17/cb_haiti_ex_dictator_returns/ |title=Haiti's 'Baby&nbsp;Doc' in surprise return from exile |work=Salon |agency=Associated Press |date=17 January 2011 |archive-date=27 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527224344/http://www.salon.com/2011/01/17/cb_haiti_ex_dictator_returns/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Accompanied by Roy, he flew in from Paris, indicating that he wanted to help: "I'm not here for politics. I'm here for the reconstruction of Haiti", he said.<ref name="Guardian011811"/> However, many argued that Duvalier returned to Haiti to gain access to the US$4{{nbsp}}million frozen in his Swiss bank account. Haiti also claimed this money, arguing that the assets were of a "criminal origin" and should not be returned to Duvalier. Under Swiss law, however, states claiming money in Switzerland have to demonstrate that they have started criminal investigations against offenders holding money in the country. According to an article by Ginger Thompson in ''[[The New York Times]]'', "if Mr. Duvalier had been able to slip into the country and then quietly leave without incident... he may have been able to argue that Haiti was no longer interested in prosecuting him—and that the money should be his."<ref name=NYTimes012011>{{cite news |first=Ginger |last=Thompson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/world/americas/21haiti.html?_r=2&ref=gingerthompson |title=Some See a Cash Motive in Duvalier's Return |work=The New York Times |date=20 January 2011 |access-date=25 January 2011}}</ref> According to [[Mac McClelland]] of ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'' magazine:

<blockquote>The former dictator was greeted at the [[Toussaint Louverture International Airport|Port-au-Prince airport]] with cheering and celebratory chanting&nbsp;... The word from Duvalier is that he's come to help his country. According to everyone on the street and on the radio, the Americans and the French conspired to bring him here to upset current president [[René Préval]], who's been accused of fixing his country's recent elections.<ref name="MoJo011611">{{cite news |first=Mac |last=McClelland |url=http://motherjones.com/rights-stuff/2011/01/baby-doc-duvalier-haiti-return |title=Baby Doc is Back |work=Mother Jones |date=January 16, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2011}}</ref></blockquote>

On 18 January 2011, he was taken into custody at his hotel by Haitian authorities.<ref name="Charles2011">{{cite news|first1=Jacqueline |last1=Charles |first2=Lesley |last2=Clark |first3=Trenton |last3=Daniel |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/18/v-fullstory/2020822/duvaliers-mysterious-haiti-trip.html#storyBody |title=Charges filed against ex‑dictator Jean‑Claude 'Baby&nbsp;Doc' Duvalier |work=The Miami Herald |issn=0898-865X |date=18 January 2011 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811022112/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/18/v-fullstory/2020822/duvaliers-mysterious-haiti-trip.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was charged with corruption, theft, and misappropriation of funds committed during his 15-year presidency. He was released but was subject to recall by the court.<ref name=Guardian011811/>

By 22 September 2011, legal procedures against him appeared to have stalled. He was reported to be living under poorly enforced house arrest, enjoying a life of luxury in a suburb of Port-au-Prince.<ref name="Guardian September 22, 2011 ">{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Phillips |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/22/baby-doc-duvalier-investigation-stalls |title=Will 'Baby Doc' Duvalier ever face justice in Haiti? |work=The Guardian |date=22 September 2011 |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> By 30 January 2012, it was announced that the former president would face charges of corruption, but not of human rights abuses.<ref name="Huffington Post January 30, 2012 ">{{cite news |first=Joseph Guyler |last=Delva |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/30/haiti-jean-claude-duvalier-trial_n_1241514.html |title=Haiti's Jean Claude Duvalier Trial: 'Baby Doc' Faces Corruption Charges |work=The Huffington Post |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian January 30, 2012 ">{{cite news |agency=Reuters |location=Port-au-Prince |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/31/baby-doc-duvalier-charges-haiti |title=Baby Doc avoids human rights abuse charges in Haiti |work=The Guardian |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>

After the former president failed to appear for three previously scheduled court hearings, a Haitian judge issued a warrant ordering him to appear before the court 28 February 2013. Duvalier did so and for the first time pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and human rights abuse.<ref name="Valme2013"/>

On 4 October 2014, Duvalier died of a heart attack at the age of 63.<ref name=Guardian2014>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/04/jean-claude-duvalier-baby-doc-haiti-dies |title=Jean-Claude Duvalier, former Haitian dictator, dies aged 63 |work=The Guardian |date=4 October 2014 |access-date=17 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208082446/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/04/jean-claude-duvalier-baby-doc-haiti-dies |archive-date= 8 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|2138975}}
*{{NYTtopic|people/d/jeanclaude_duvalier}}
*{{YouTube|Fy88wGtoS60|Jean Claude Duvalier and Michele Bennet Wedding 25 May 1980}}
*[https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/haiti-s-jean-claude-duvalier-1.921716 Profile: Haiti's Jean-Claude Duvalier: The story of a former dictator upon his return home.] Daniel Schwartz, ''[[CBC News]]'', 17 January 2011
*[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/17/wikileaks-cables-baby-doc-duvalier WikiLeaks cables: 'Baby Doc' Duvalier's possible return to Haiti concerned US], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 17 January 2011
*[http://www.democracynow.org/2011/1/19/did_baby_doc_duvalier_return_to Did Baby Doc Duvalier Return to Haiti to Pressure Préval in the Election?], video report, ''[[Democracy Now!]]'', 19 January 2011

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{{Succession box|title=[[President of Haiti]]|before=[[François Duvalier]]|after=[[Henri Namphy]]|years=1971–1986}}
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{{Heads of state of Haiti}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duvalier, Jean-Claude}}
[[Category:Presidents of Haiti]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Duvalier family|Jean-Claude]]
[[Category:Children of presidents of Haiti]]
[[Category:Exiled politicians]]
[[Category:Haitian anti-communists]]
[[Category:Haitian exiles]]
[[Category:Haitian expatriates in France]]
[[Category:Mulatto Haitians]]
[[Category:Haitian Vodou practitioners]]
[[Category:Politicians from Port-au-Prince]]
[[Category:Presidents for life]]
[[Category:1970s in Haiti]]
[[Category:1980s in Haiti]]
[[Category:20th-century Haitian politicians]]
[[Category:Heads of government who were later imprisoned]]
[[Category:National Unity Party (Haiti) politicians]]
[[Category:Politicide perpetrators]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in North America]]