François Duvalier

François Duvalier known as "Papa Doc" (possibly April 14, 1907 - April 21, 1971) was the President of Haiti from 1957 and later dictator (President for Life) from 1964 until his death. His rule was marked by autocracy, corruption, and reliance on private armies (see Tonton Macoute) to maintain power.

Reign of terror

Within the country Duvalier used both political murder and expulsion to suppress his opponents; estimates of those killed are as high as 30,000. Attacks on Duvalier from within the military were treated as especially serious; in 1967 bombs detonated near the Presidential Palace led to the execution of twenty Presidential Guard officers. Such tactics kept the country in his grip until his death in early 1971, leaving his 19-year-old son Jean-Claude Duvalier as his successor.

Related Topics:
1967 - 1971 - Jean-Claude Duvalier

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~