Now that the Haitian political establishment has shown that nostalgia won't wash away alleged crimes of the past, what does Jean Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier have up his sleeve?
The brutal former Haitian leader ended his 25-year exile in France and threw the island's fragile political foundation into chaos with his return over the weekend.
And for a few early moments, as he dined in a posh Haitian hotel and visited with former aides, it seemed like Baby Doc had won the biggest gamble of his life.
Cheering crowds filled with revelers who appeared to be too young to have lived through Baby Doc's ruffian rule welcomed his return.
Thankfully, Baby Doc is getting a cold dose of reality now that he will apparently face trial for alleged corruption and embezzlement during his 15-year rule of Haiti.
Duvalier faced hours of questioning by judges who will now decide whether there is enough evidence to go forward with a full trial. The process could take up to three months.
Despite reports of increasing financial problems since his divorce, it's hard to imagine that Baby Doc would leave the relative comfort of his French vacation only to face trial, further financial decline and possible prison time.
Ruling from 1971 to 1986 after the death of his father Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, Baby Doc, according to international rights organizations, ordered the deaths of between 20,000 and 30,000 Haitian civilians.
These reports aren't secret. Neither are ones that indicate that Baby Doc fled the country with millions from the Haitian government.
Even if he does face trial, it's hard to see the Haitian justice system deal a heavy sentence to Baby Doc given the current state of hopelessness felt by the Haitian people and the lack of political leadership that exists.
Given the island's instability, if the people in the streets clamor for Baby Doc's return to power, will authorities have the will to prosecute him for crimes that occurred more than 25 years ago?
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Way back in 1979 the Coast Guard ship that I was on tied up in Port-au-Prince. Me and a couple of my shipmates rented a cab and rode around the city.It was obvious that their was widespread poverty,but their was also peace and civility.Myself and all of my shipmates had a safe and pleasant visit. Maybe Haiti needs a strong leader like Baby Doc to clean up the mess that Haiti is today.
You have got to be kidding!!!!!!!!! This man was/is a tyrant who didnt care a lick for Haiti! How dare he stole all of their money and left that country in such a devestated state not to mention how hateful and mean he was...and 25 years later return? Why is my question. And yes they do need a strong leader and he is not it! ANYONE WHO THINKS HE HAS COME BACK TO DO ANY GOOD IS SADLY MISTAKEN..HE DOESNT EVEN HAVE A PASSPORT TO BE IN HAITI..HE NEEDS TO CRAWL BACK UNDER THE ROCK FROM WHICH HE CAME!
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By: Little Dickie Dydoe on 1/19/2011 3:41PM
Way back in 1979 the Coast Guard ship that I was on tied up in Port-au-Prince. Me and a couple of my shipmates rented a cab and rode around the city.It was obvious that their was widespread poverty,but their was also peace and civility.Myself and all of my shipmates had a safe and pleasant visit. Maybe Haiti needs a strong leader like Baby Doc to clean up the mess that Haiti is today.
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By: GO BACK TO FRANCE! on 1/20/2011 5:01PM
You have got to be kidding!!!!!!!!! This man was/is a tyrant who didnt care a lick for Haiti! How dare he stole all of their money and left that country in such a devestated state not to mention how hateful and mean he was...and 25 years later return? Why is my question. And yes they do need a strong leader and he is not it! ANYONE WHO THINKS HE HAS COME BACK TO DO ANY GOOD IS SADLY MISTAKEN..HE DOESNT EVEN HAVE A PASSPORT TO BE IN HAITI..HE NEEDS TO CRAWL BACK UNDER THE ROCK FROM WHICH HE CAME!
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