Haiti
One of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE was elected president. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994 and oversee the installation of a close associate to the presidency in 1996.
The security situation in Haiti remains dangerous and unpredictable, despite progress on a peaceful political process and the presence of foreign security forces operating under a United Nations mandate. Travelers are warned to defer travel to Haiti until the situation stabilizes. Those who remain in Haiti should take precautions to avoid the uncertain security situation in public areas
Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide left Haiti and went into exile on February 29, 2004. In accordance with the constitution, the chief justice at the country's Supreme Court, Boniface Alexandre, was sworn in as interim president. A former Roman Catholic priest, Aristide became Haiti's first democratically-elected president in 1990, amid great popular support. Months later he was overthrown in a bloody military coup, but returned to power in 1994 after the new rulers were forced to step down under international pressure and with the help of US troops. Forbidden to stand for a second consecutive term, Aristide was replaced by Rene Preval in the 1995 elections but stood and won in the 2000 poll, which was boycotted by opposition groups.
