The News
Thursday 28 of March 2024

Aristide Joins Haiti Rally to Urge Voters to Back Candidate


Haiti's interim President Jocelerme Privert and one of those running for leadership,Photo: Reuters/Jeanty Junior Augustin
Haiti's interim President Jocelerme Privert and one of those running for leadership,Photo: Reuters/Jeanty Junior Augustin
The former leader remains a popular and divisive figure even after his return from exile in 2011

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Twice-ousted Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide has made a rare public appearance at a street rally to support the candidate of the political faction he founded decades ago.

A growing crowd of Fanmi Lavalas party backers chanted and waved pictures of the ex-president Monday as they jogged alongside a convoy.

Aristide and Lavalas leader Maryse Narcisse waved from a car as they headed to the district of Petionville.

Aristide remains a popular and divisive figure more than a decade since he was ousted in a 2004 rebellion. He said he wouldn’t get involved in politics upon his return to Haiti in 2011 after years of exile.

Narcisse is one of 27 candidates vying to lead Haiti for the next five years.

A presidential redo election is scheduled for Oct. 9.