Word: haitien
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...what largely greased the way was the protection granted by well-rewarded provincial army officers who operated as virtually independent warlords. Drug- laden planes land regularly at the government airport in Cap-Haitien. An estimated 1,000 Colombians reportedly are in Haiti, some of whom are suspected of involvement in smuggling networks. "For 2 1/2 years the country has been without any effective central control, and these commanders had their own little fiefdoms," said a young Haitian social scientist. "Many were obviously interested in quick profits...
...change was only one of many that swept Haiti last week. As the country's 6 million citizens adjusted to the realization that Baby Doc was gone for good, they exulted in what the Roman Catholic bishop of Cap Haitien called "our second independence." And although the annual pre-Lent Mardi Gras celebration was canceled for fear that the swelling crowds would become disorderly, there were noisy, exuberant gatherings across the land...
Almost hour by hour, the swells of revolt kept growing. Nearly half the 60,000 inhabitants of Cap Haitien marched peacefully through the streets Wednesday afternoon, calling on the army to stage a coup d'etat and take power. There were also appeals for a general strike to begin Feb. 12. Such a sustained work stoppage would probably cripple the moribund Haitian economy, which gets much of its foreign currency from tourism...
...Thursday the chant "Down with Duvalier!" was echoing across the country. Said one resident of Cap Haitien: "No one is afraid anymore. Duvalier must go." In Gonaives, thousands of protesters blocked the streets with barricades and burning tires. When the local army headquarters was overrun by anti-Duvalier marchers, agents of the Tonton Macoute tried to open fire, but they were disarmed by an army tactical battalion. Terrified, the agents ripped off their trademark blue denim uniforms and tried to escape the mob's wrath. More crowds demanded that the military overthrow the dictatorship, and rumors started that Baby...
...Saturday, the capital was tense but calm. There were reports of demonstrations in Cap Haitien, the second largest city, and the Dominican Republic, which lies east of Haiti on the island of Hispaniola, was nervously monitoring the volatile situation. While Duvalier was still in Haiti, there were serious questions about whether the President-for-Life would be President for long...