A Relevant Historical Overview of Political Struggles in Haiti

De: Gerard Salomon

Narrado por: Mai Geri

Gérard Salomon was born Haitian by his father and Dominican by his mother on March 21, 1954, in Cap-Haitian. His father was a non-commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of Haiti, who had a high sense of military duty. His childhood was strongly marked by the military values that his father was able to instill in him. Military service and sociology were a passion.

Authentic and proud son of the Grand North, he completed his secondary studies at the Lycée Philippe Guerrier in Cap-Haitian and committed in 1977 to study Sociology at the Faculty of Human Sciences (FASCH) in Port-au-Prince. In 1978, despite family objection, he decided to enlist in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Haiti. And, that's where it all started. First at the rank of Sergeant, he had the chance to be accepted into the Caonabo Promotion (1981-1983) at the Military Academy of Haiti where he received training, which prepared him for a career of traditional military service.

Then, he became Commander of the Heavy Equipment Battalion (EL) in 1990, appointed Executive Officer of this battalion on January 28, 1989; responsible for the security of the National Radio-Television of Haiti, in addition to his duties in 1988; He was the Commander of the 35th Company of the Presidential Guard (1985-1988); Service Officer in the Presidential Guard Regiment (1984-1985); Service Officer in the Leopard Corps (1983-1984).

He attests that the Haitian army has offered him endless chances to rise to the task required. For example, his training at Fu Hsing Kang Military College in Taipei, Taiwan in 1990; at the American Infantry School Fort Benning, Georgia in the United States in 1986; At Lakeland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas in 1985; and several official trips to France, Panama and Mexico. His military education also gave him many openings and practical experiences in the resolution of major conflicts. But for him, the most important aspect of this journey is to have had the privilege of performing military service and leading good soldiers, excellent non-commissioned officers and officers.

His duties at the Presidential Palace made him a privileged observer of many events, and a leading participant in the Lafontant affair. He chose to tell in this book the dangers he had to face at the National Palace for more than fifteen (15) years. Clear hostile intentions against him, based on the solid evidence, that led him to seek refuge abroad with his family in 1991. He is placed on leave at the rank of Major of the Armed Forces of Haiti. Why still in exile, in 1994, he began at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. To take advanced studies on the different types of renewable energy. He develops the skills and abilities needed to identify technological needs in the energy industry. It was there that he enjoyed the civilian life, and held the position of Energy Manager at Cuyahoga County in Cleveland, Ohio from 2001 until today.

©2022 Gerard Salomon (P)2023 Gerard Salomon

Good insider account of recent Haitian history

A look at the history of Haiti with a main focus on 1986-1991, but with a summary of key events prior to that time. The author was a major in the Hatian Military and commanded a group heaquartered in the national palaceduring the 86-91 era, so this is an insider's account of a tumultuos period. It is a good introduction to the country and its modern history, even though it is light on details. It helps to have a little existing knowledge of Haiti but it is not essential. My only negative views relate to issues of translation and narration. the book at times reads like it was originally written in French or Haitian Creole and then run through Google Translate with no editing. For example, the last name of General Prosper Avril is frequently translated to April. The wording is at times odd or distracting. The reader is very good overall. She has a pleasant voice and is easy to understand but she has many instances of creative pronunciation of words. Pon-teef for Pontiff, Pop-All for papal and Brig-a-deeyay for brigadier.Some names are pronounced differently from one sentence to the next. Tol-behrr and Toll-bert for a Liberian President and importantly for the book, Du-val-yay and Du-Val-Yehr.