In January 1986, the Reagan administration began to pressure Duvalier to renounce his rule and to leave Haiti.
Representatives appointed by Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga served as intermediaries who carried out the negotiations.
At this point a number of Duvalierists and business leaders met with the Duvaliers and pressed for their departure.
The United States rejected a request to provide asylum 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.
In January 1986, the Reagan administration began to pressure Duvalier to renounce his rule and to leave Haiti. Representatives appointed by Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga served as intermediaries who carried out the negotiations. At this point a number of Duvalierists and business leaders met with the Duvaliers and pressed for their departure. The United States rejected a request to provide asylum 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.
Jean-Claude Duvalier