Sign in Subscribe
Clinton, Bill

Executive Orders Issued to Restore Democracy in Haiti

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The U.S. government, under the administrations of George Bush and Bill Clinton, imposed a series of executive orders to tighten the embargo against Haiti and promote the restoration of democracy in the country. The orders, issued between 1991 and 1994, aimed to freeze assets, prohibit trading, and restrict transactions with Haiti. The goal was to pressure the Haitian government to allow the return of President-elect Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Key Takeaways:

  • On October 4, 1991, President Bush issued Executive Order No. 12775, declaring a national emergency and blocking Haitian government property, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
  • On June 30, 1993, President Clinton issued Executive Order No. 12853, imposing additional economic measures with respect to Haiti, to ensure compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 841.
  • On May 7, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order No. 12914, imposing additional economic measures with respect to Haiti, to fulfill obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 917.
  • On June 21, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order No. 12922, blocking all property in the United States of any Haitian national resident in Haiti or any person subject to the blocking provisions of previous executive orders.
  • The executive orders aimed to restrict transactions with Haiti, including prohibiting any transaction that evades or avoids the prohibitions of the order.
  • The orders were necessary to tighten the embargo against Haiti and promote the restoration of democracy, with the goal of returning President-elect Jean-Bertrand Aristide under the framework of the Governors Island Agreement.

Statistics:

  • Total number of executive orders issued to restore democracy in Haiti: 8
  • Number of executive orders issued by George Bush: 3 (Executive Orders 12775, 12779, and 12853)
  • Number of executive orders issued by Bill Clinton: 5 (Executive Orders 12872, 12853, 12914, 12920, and 12922)
  • Number of United Nations Security Council Resolutions referenced: 3 (Resolutions 841, 917, and UNPA)
  • Number of countries affected by the sanctions: 1 (Haiti)

Read more