Anti-Duvalier protest movement Anti-Duvalier protest movement The Anti-Duvalier protest movement was a series of demonstrations in Haiti from 23 May 1984 – 7 February 1986, that led to the overthrow of President Jean-Claude Duvalier and the Duvalier dynasty regime. Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier was elected to presidency in the 1957 general election, and he declared himself “President for life” following the 1964 constitutional referendum. In the aftermath of the 1958 coup d'état attempt, to keep the populace subservient, Papa Doc created a paramilitary force called the Tonton Macoutes (), notorious of its use of violence and intimidation. In 1970, the force was renamed
Jean-Claude Duvalier for Duvalier, but offered to assist with their departure. On 30 January 1986, Duvalier had initially accepted, and President Reagan actually announced his departure based on a report from the Haitian CIA Station Chief who saw Duvalier's car head for the airport. En route, there was gunfire and Duvalier's party returned to the palace unnoticed by the U.S. intelligence team. Duvalier declared "we are as firm as a monkey tail." He departed on 7 February 1986, flying to France in a U.S. Air Force aircraft. The Duvaliers settled in France. For a time they lived a luxurious life, but eventually