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.

Tortuga freeport

Beginning in 1967, Texas entrepreneur Don Pierson came into contact with representatives of the Haitian government in Washington, DC, while he was attempting to lease a ship that had been used by Swinging Radio England broadcasting off the coast of England. In 1971 this marketing effort resulted in a 99-year contract being drawn up between financial interests represented by Don Pierson and the government of Haiti for the development of a freeport on the island of Tortuga. However, Duvalier died before the deal was agreed upon.

Related Topics:
1967 - Texas - Don Pierson - Washington, DC - Swinging Radio England - England - 1971 - Freeport - Tortuga

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Jean-Claude Duvalier expropriated the entire venture after learning of a new multimillion dollar contract between Pierson and the Gulf Oil corporation, which caused the project to collapse.

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