SUMMARY

The former priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide ran for, and won, the presidency in the 16 December 1990 elections in Haiti. Much of his support was based in the slums, among poor people, and the movement he was able to mobilise was often referred to as the “Lavalas” (which in Creole refers to an Avalance but also to cleansing). Aristide was strongly against the former Duvalier rule, which ended in 1986, and at rallies the crowd could be found calling out against the Tonton Macoutes, a secret armed force created during the previous regime.

Following the failed coup attempt on 6 January 2001, Aristide encouraged his supporters to take to the streets and protest. The protests were aimed against Lafontant, who was the person behind the failed coup but also leader of the party Union for National Reconciliation and rumoured leader of the Tonton Macoutes.

The supporters of Jean-Bertrand Aristide have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.