November 18, 2017

November 18, 1803 saw Haiti victorious over France’s best, even though French history books tend to ignore this event,the Battle of Vertieres  exactly 214 years ago was the cornerstone upon which our Nation was built.

Forgotten by most histories is the fact that the Haitians defeated major armies of Spain, England and France. Many histories claim the great French defeat which cost some 40,000 of Napoleon’s best troops,  and his brother-in-law General Leclerc was due to Yellow Fever. In actual fact, the battle was over before the Yellow Fever epidemic struck.

Napoleon’s defeat had a side effect. The Haitian foray was supposed to be a simple diversion, to suppress an awkward slave revolt. The real goal of the mission was control of America.

With his losses in Haiti, Napoleon forever abandoned his dream of American conquest.

More importantly for us, November 18, 2017 saw President Moise deliver on a major promise.

President Moise celebrated the Battle of Vertieres by reinstating our Forces Armees d’Haiti, illegally placed in suspended animation by Aristide after his 1994 return.

President Moise selected the popular ex-FADH G1, Colonel Jodel Lesage as the Interim Commander of the revived force. This was an exceptionally good, non-controversial choice. Lesage is a low-key, competent, highly respected officer with an engineering background.