René Préval

René Garcia Préval (January 17, 1943 – March 3, 2017) was a Haitian politician and agronomist who served as President of Haiti from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2006 to 2011. He was the first elected head of state in Haitian history to serve a full term in office and then be re-elected for a non-consecutive term.

Early Life and Education

René Préval was born in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. He studied agronomy at the College of Gembloux in Belgium and later attended the University of Pisa in Italy.

Political Career

Préval's political career began when he served as Prime Minister of Haiti from February 1991 to October 1991 under President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. His tenure was cut short by a military coup.

First Presidency (1996–2001)

Préval was elected as the President of Haiti in 1996. During his first term, he focused on economic reform and infrastructure development. His administration faced challenges such as political instability and natural disasters.

Second Presidency (2006–2011)

Préval was re-elected in 2006. His second term was marked by efforts to rebuild the country after the devastating 2008 hurricanes and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He worked closely with international organizations to provide humanitarian aid and support reconstruction efforts.

Personal Life

Préval was married three times and had two daughters. He was known for his modest lifestyle and dedication to Haitian development.

Legacy

René Préval is remembered for his contributions to Haitian politics and his efforts to stabilize the country during times of crisis. His leadership during the 2010 Haiti earthquake was particularly noted for its focus on international cooperation and recovery initiatives.

See Also

• List of Presidents of Haiti
• Haitian political history

References

• René Préval - Britannica
• René Préval, Former President of Haiti, Dies at 74 - The New York Times