Editorials / Columns
American News about Haiti Matches U.S. Government Story
By Bernardo Fallas
Mar 2, 2004, 23:50

To American news consumers, U.S. involvement in Haiti may seem like another chance for democracy to flourish.

Another abusive leader is ousted from power by the people. But has this really been the case?

Haiti is engulfed in political turmoil, again.

In an almost paradoxical celebration of the uprising of the black slaves against the French that New Years Day in 1804 when the first free-slave republic was born, the people of Haiti have once more seen violence spread across the land.

The mainstream American media have reported that former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled the country to escape assassination and to avoid bloodshed. The U.S. media have insisted, along with the U.S. government, that Aristide did so willingly—a version that differs completely from statements made by the ex-president himself.

Aristide claims he was forced to abandon the country by U.S. military officers. However, his charge has received minimal coverage in print media outlets and almost no coverage in broadcast television or radio.

Also under-covered is the reason why Aristide failed as the leader that President Clinton put back in office and why the impoverished land has lived through repeated cycles of rebellion, overthrow of leaders, visits by Marines, designation of new leadership and back to the beginning.

Many are to blame for Haiti’s catastrophic political entanglements.

How about blaming the United Nations for neglecting Aristide’s regime morally and economically during the last few years?

The humanitarian support the United Nations agreed to provide never came to aid Aristide. The country needs the sort of economic stimulus and air programs that the United States has promised sub-Saharan African countries.

The United States and the European powers are also to blame for turning their backs on Haiti’s past regimes of Dr. Francois Duvalier and his son, Baby Doc Duvalier, two of the many poster children of government corruption in modern times. The younger Duvalier, for example, has reportedly amassed a fortune of $120 million, which belong for the most part to the Haitian people.

Most recently, the United States and the European Union blocked millions of dollars in international funds that were destined to help Aristide keep the government’s minimal infrastructure going.

Instead, the country had to drag itself with bloody elbows and knees down the unpaved road to perdition.

Aside from the current U.S.-supported interim government, Haiti shows symptoms of total collapse. Today, more than 78 percent of the population lives in poverty. Life expectancy does not reach 50 years old. The average income per person is $480 per year or about $1.30 per person per day.

The self-described “Friends of Haiti” – the United States, France and Canada – now have troops in the country.

The ouster of Aristide marks one more regime change by the United States. The United States has carried out more than 50 military interventions, occupations or invasions of Latin America or the Caribbean since 1898.

Remember Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama?

Isn’t it time for American reporters to learn the history of U.S. interventions in overthrowing democracies or supporting dictators in Latin America and the Caribbean?

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