A friend of mine just gave me this photograph, below, from (I am guessing) the late 1970s. Two people in this picture are happy. Who is the man on the right? I feel I know him, but I can’t identify him. Clearly he must have outlasted Duvalier in Port-au-Prince, because I only arrived a week before Baby Doc left in 1986, and I would not recall the face of someone who had fled along with Jean-Claude.
Who is that mystery man?
Also note: That’s not Baby Doc’s most trusting face. However, if you look at pictures of him over the years, you’ll notice that the guy didn’t really have a look that said “I trust these people.” I wonder why…
Here’s one picture:
1982, credit: Giovanni Coruzzi, AFP/Getty Images
Here’s another:
With Andrew Young, 1977
One more:
At his wedding, 1980
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I arrived in January of 1985. I volunteered at the development office of the Episcopal church located at Colege St. Pierre, just off the Champ de Mars. I will ask the director, Pere Yvan Francois if he recognizes the man.
What a day when Duvalier left. After 2pm curfews spilling out onto the Champ de Mars chanting Bay nou solei la holding branches over our heads. We ended up at the Radio Solei compound. Suddenly I heard a scream and instinctively turned and took a picture. A Belgium priest was on his knees and had cried out in sheer joy. I don’t know where the picture is. I’ll find it one day. Then, of course came the retribution. Tonton macoutes slaughtered. I have a picture of a huge ball of blue denim tied together being pulled down the street by a smiling young man. I thought then and still think they were justified. I have many good memories. I won’t read your book. I know the story too well. But mesi ampil for writing it.
I’m sure you have gotten the answer regarding the mystery man in the picture. But incase you didn’t, his name is Luckner Cambronne. He became Minister of Interior and National Defense.