Haiti’s Political Turmoil: The Legacy of the 2004 Coup d’État

Understanding February 29, 2004: A Coup or a Kidnapping?

To fully grasp the events of February 29, 2004—often characterized as both a coup d’état and a kidnapping—one must examine Haiti’s deep-rooted historical struggles. Haiti’s political landscape has long been shaped by the legacy of slavery and the ongoing social contradictions that emerged from the Haitian Revolution. While Haiti’s independence in 1804 marked a momentous victory against slavery, it also set the stage for enduring conflicts that persist to this day.

At the heart of these struggles lies the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the founding father of Haiti, whose death marked the beginning of a counter-revolution. This event significantly altered the nation’s trajectory, entrenching power in the hands of an elite class that sought to suppress the broader population.

The Post-Revolution Struggle: A Nation Divided

Dessalines envisioned a Haiti where land, the primary source of wealth, would be collectively managed to benefit all citizens. However, his vision was met with resistance from the mulatto elite, who sought to maintain economic control. Following his assassination, land was distributed to a select few, reinforcing a feudal-like system that kept the majority of Haitians in poverty. A rigid rural code forced peasants into exploitative sharecropping arrangements, depriving them of economic independence and deepening social inequalities.

This system of oppression was perpetuated by successive leaders such as Alexandre Pétion and Jean Pierre Boyer and later reinforced by the American occupation of Haiti in the early 20th century. For over two centuries, the struggle for economic justice has remained a defining feature of Haitian society.

Resistance and Repression: The Fight for Justice

Despite these systemic injustices, Haiti’s rural masses have continuously resisted exploitation. Historical movements such as Jean Baptiste Goman’s resistance after Dessalines’ assassination, Jean Jacques Acaau’s Piquets movement in 1843, and the Cacos-led revolts of Charlemagne Péralte and Benoit Batraville against American occupation all reflect a persistent demand for social justice.

More recently, the Lavalas movement, led by Jean-Bertrand Aristide, emerged as a political force advocating for Haiti’s disenfranchised. Aristide sought to address the root causes of inequality, challenging the country’s entrenched oligarchy and their international backers. However, every attempt at reform has been met with violent opposition. Historical patterns of repression, including assassinations of pro-democracy leaders, have persisted, reinforcing the status quo.

2004 Coup d’État: A Turning Point

Whenever Lavalas achieved electoral victories and sought to transform Haiti’s governance, external and internal reactionary forces intervened. On February 29, 2004, President Aristide was ousted in a coup widely believed to have been orchestrated with the backing of Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Nations. Following the coup, the UN established a presence in Haiti through MINUSTAH, whose controversial role included suppressing popular movements and exacerbating the nation’s humanitarian crises.

The aftermath of the coup further weakened Haiti’s democratic institutions, paving the way for increasing economic instability, widespread violence, and social collapse. The devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, compounded these challenges, as aid mismanagement and political corruption stymied recovery efforts.

The Enduring Consequences: A Country in Crisis

The aftermath of the 2004 coup continues to shape Haiti’s current political and economic landscape. The administration of Jovenel Moïse, installed under the PHTK regime, oversaw rampant inflation, economic stagnation, and rising insecurity. Schools and hospitals shut down due to instability, while corruption within the government escalated. Despite overwhelming discontent, Moïse remained in power beyond his constitutional mandate, backed by international forces that had originally facilitated the 2004 coup.

The Role of Haiti’s Elite: Andy Apaid and Economic Exploitation

Among the primary beneficiaries of Haiti’s enduring political crisis is businessman Andy Apaid, a key figure in the 2004 coup. Under the PHTK regime, Apaid received substantial financial rewards, including 18 million gourdes and control over 8,600 hectares of arable land. This land, spanning multiple regions, was handed over under the guise of an agro-industrial project, effectively displacing small farmers.

The appropriation of land for private interests at the expense of Haitian citizens reflects the broader pattern of elite control over the country’s resources. This dynamic underscores the ongoing exploitation of Haiti’s working class and the persistent influence of oligarchs in shaping national policy.

A Call for Change

As Haiti marks the anniversary of the 2004 coup, the need for a fundamental transformation of its political and economic structures has never been more urgent. The Haitian people continue to demand a leadership that prioritizes national sovereignty, economic justice, and social equity.

Breaking free from the control of oligarchs and foreign interests remains a critical challenge. For Haiti to move forward, it must embrace a governance model rooted in transparency, accountability, and the empowerment of its people. Only then can the nation fulfill the vision that Dessalines once championed—a truly independent Haiti that serves all its citizens.

This article is adapted from a text by Mario Joseph, Lawyer and Head of the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) – March 3, 2021.