jemesouviens1804 previously said:

In the late 1820's, more than 15 years after Haiti gained its Independence, France extorted to what amounts to more than 21 billion dollars from Haiti. France did this by blockading Haiti with dozen of naval vessel holding more than 20,000 troops. It demanded that Haiti pay them an indemnity for its lost properties (slaves). Obviously knowing that lightning does not strike the same place twice, Boyer(Haiti's president) had to accept. Many historians note that this is one of the factors that Haiti is the way it is. From that time on Haiti transferred 80% of its income to pay the French. What France did is against international law. My question is, do you think France should pay that money back. My view on this is mix....Haiti should not stress the mishaps of the yesteryears but look foward to a much brighter future. But at the same time France should show a little respect by doing much more to aid Haiti...because at the end of the day, they are both Francophone nations. What's your opinion?

buenoha previously said:

France should do a lot more for Haiti!
At the same time, Haiti should do a lot more for Hiati too. They could start by claiming the money back, obviously in real money terms of today's economy, which means the amount should be corrected with inlfation since that day a few centuries ago.

Manhattanite previously said:

Although I think this case is very specific, and it is simple to see the justice in demanding payments from France to Haiti, I don't see it happening because of the general precedent it would set. We also have to consider what would be the effect of these resources being given to Haiti, who would administer them, etc and the answers may be dissapointing.

julio previously said:

You are absolutely right they should pay back and double due to all the harm that they cause to Haiti, I never hear that France is doing any thing to help Haiti. Look Ingrid betancourt has been kept as a hostage by the farc , they make a drama from that in Haiti people are starving but they do nothing about. They do not even talk about.

Lautaro previously said:



France should repay the debt, but at the same time, it should ensure itself of creating mechanisms in order for this money to be well administered by the Haitian gov., once it's paid. It wouldn't do to pay all that money only to see it being squandered away on the whims of some good-for-nothing politicos, as it's always bound to happen on Latin America, save a few notable exceptions (i.e. Chile and Costa Rica), when the developed countries and the international financial institutions deign to lend money to our countries, without ensuring themselves of seeing that money being given the use that was intended for it in the first place.

Consuello previously said:

Yes, I as well do not see it happening as any such demand of Haiti from France might strain the now existing and already not too stable relationship if that is what you meant Manhattanite when you mentioned "the general precedent it would set." I agree.