PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returned to Haiti yesterday nearly 25 years after an uprising against his brutal regime forced him into exile in France.
It was surprising move that came as his country struggles with a political crisis and stalled efforts to recover from last year’s earthquake.
Duvalier, 59, part of a father-and-son dynasty that presided over one of the darkest chapters in Haitian history, arrived to hugs from supporters at the airport.
“He is happy to be back in this country, back in his home,” said Mona Beruaveau, a candidate for Senate in a Duvalierist party who spoke to the former dictator in the immigration office.
In 2007, President Rene Preval said Duvalier could return but would face justice for the deaths of thousands of people and the theft of millions of dollars.
The country is struggling through a dire political crisis following the problematic Nov. 28 first-round presidential election.
Three candidates want to go on to a second round. An Organization of American States panel recommended Preval’s candidate be excluded.