François “Papa Doc” Duvalier: Haiti’s Ruthless Dictator and Master of Fear | Biography

François Duvalier, widely known as “Papa Doc,” ruled Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971. A physician turned politician, he rose to power promising reform but quickly established one of the most feared dictatorships in the Caribbean. Duvalier maintained control through propaganda, voodoo symbolism, and the notorious secret police known as the Tonton Macoute, who terrorized the population with violence and intimidation.

His regime was marked by corruption, censorship, and human rights abuses, all while he cultivated a cult of personality that portrayed him as a near-mystical figure. Despite his brutality, he held onto power for nearly 14 years and set the stage for his son, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, to inherit his dictatorship.

This biography reveals the rise of François Duvalier, the methods he used to control Haiti, and the legacy of fear he left behind. Was he a brilliant manipulator of power, or a tyrant who destroyed a nation to preserve his rule?

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