Western Hemisphere 13
In addition to the blockade, the United Nations placed sanctions on oil and other
military supplies in the hope that the pressure would cause the military junta to cede the
government to Aristide. By the end of the month, it became apparent that Aristide would
not be able to return to Haiti by the October 30 deadline established in the agreement, and
France began to talk about a total blockade of the country in order to force the Haitian
military’s hand.
Through the end of the year, France continued to appeal to the United Nations for
increased sanctions, and President Clinton continued to press Cedras to follow through on
his promise to resign. On December 14, the United States, France, Canada, and Venezuela
announced that the Haitian military rulers would face more severe sanctions, such as a
universal trade embargo and a ban on all noncommercial flights in and out of the country,
if they did not restore democracy to Haiti very soon. Even though relations between the
US government and Aristide worsened throughout the blockade, Clinton continued to state
that he supported the deposed ruler and would work to see him back in power.
During the spring of 1994, the US government faced a great deal of criticism for its
policy toward Haiti and Aristide. Most felt that the US response was too weak and relied
too much on the goodwill of the Haitian military leader to resign. On May 6, 1994, the
UN Security Council voted to strengthen sanctions on Haiti. These sanctions included
those that France had pushed previously. As the blockade wore on, and the military junta
led by General Cedras remained in place, the United States resorted to a number of threats
of military action and displays of force. In the beginning of July, US troops staged a
military exercise in preparation for a possible invasion of Haiti. On July 31, the Security
Council passed Resolution 940 which authorized the United States to lead an invasion into
Haiti to forcibly topple Haiti’s military leaders and restore Aristide to the presidency. On
September 14, US planes and helicopters could be seen flying over Port-au-Prince in what
the Haitians saw as a sign that the invasion was coming. Some of the planes dropped
leaflets announcing the return of Aristide. President Clinton addressed the United States
the following day to explain that all forms of diplomacy had been exhausted and that he
was preparing to send troops into Haiti to force out the military leaders. The dispute was
resolved on September 18 with the return of Aristide only after the intercession of US
Special Envoy Jimmy Carter. An invasion force was in the air as the deal was brokered
but was called off with the agreement.
Coding changes: End Date changed from September 29, 1994.
2 United States of America/42 Dominican Republic
MID#68
Started in January 1900. See the narrative in the 42 Dominican Republic/220 France
dyad dispute list.
MID#69
Dispute Number: 69
Date(s): March 25, 1914 to November 29, 1916