Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a Salesian priest and liberation theology advocate, won Haiti's first democratic presidential election with 67% of the vote. His populist platform promised to address poverty and inequality, and he took office in February 1991.

After only seven months in office, Aristide was overthrown by a military coup led by General Raoul C

After three years of exile, Aristide was restored to the presidency through Operation Uphold Democracy, a US-led military intervention. The intervention forced the military junta to step down, and Aristide returned to complete his term, which ended in 1996.

Aristide was re-elected in 2000 amid allegations of electoral fraud. Growing opposition and a rebellion in 2004 forced him to resign and flee Haiti for the second time. He claimed he was kidnapped by US forces and taken to the Central African Republic.

Aristide was expelled from the Fanmi Lavalas political party he founded, due to internal disputes. This marked a decline in his political influence. He remained in exile in South Africa until 2011.