• Origin and Nature: The Garde d’Haïti existed during the U.S. Occupation (1915–1934) and received twenty years of organization and training by the United States Marine Corps. It retained a staunchly pro-U.S. character under President Vincent. After the occupation, the Haitian armed forces remained the only autonomous political institution in the country. By the mid-forties, the army was considered a microcosm of the contentious civil society.
• Role and Power: The army was often the instrument of intimidation under previous governments. Powerful politicians’ support was always privileged over national interests during the Vincent years. President Lescot recognized the growing importance of the armed forces. Under Magloire, the army was in control of the state and wielded control to forcefully break up all groups perceived as a threat to the regime. The Garde was present at all meetings of workers associations according to a government law under Lescot. The army enforced strict bans against political meetings and debates. The judiciary was forced to comply with the army.
• Leadership: The Garde d’Haïti High Command was mentioned in 1934. Under Lescot, the president declared himself supreme commander of the Garde. High-ranking military positions became professionalized under Lescot, with many officers acquiring law degrees in the early forties. Major Levelt was a leading officer in the Haitian Army who provided surveillance information and expressed fear of a Marxist victory. Cantave was among the army hierarchy with leanings towards the Duvalier camp. After the brutal silencing of Fignolé’s supporters, a reunified army was at the helm under a three-man junta, the Conseil Militaire de Gouvernement (cmg) headed by Kébreau.
• Structure and Size: Under Lescot, the institution was expanded significantly. This included integrating the civilian corps des pompiers (firemen), developing greater centralization of the bureaucracy, and professionalizing high-ranking positions. The Gardes côtes (coast guard) and corps d’aviation (air force) were added, complementing government goals of modernization. According to a 1942 U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff report, the total size of the Haitian armed forces was 154,322.
• Involvement in Key Events and Actions: • Massacre of 1937: There were sufficient numbers of officers in the Garde to patrol the border and prevent the slaughter. However, a high-ranking officer noted that forces should have been concentrated on the frontier rather than in the capital. • Political Control under Vincent: The Vincent regime’s careful monitoring of labor activities successfully subdued mass organization. Security around the palace was more than doubled in November 1937, a decision that aroused criticism from the officer corps. • Lescot Era: Lescot warned the Garde that if student protests continued, they would “take the most drastic measures to reestablish public order.” In February 1946, the Garde caught and exiled Gérald Bloncourt. • Revolution of 1946: The Garde played a central role, from Lescot’s warnings to the CEM’s (likely the military command) decision to act against perceived communist threats. • Magloire Era: Magloire used his control of the army to forcefully break up opposition groups. He reinstalled the secret police abolished by Estimé. Magloire portrayed himself as a beacon of anticommunism and used state terror by applying the communist label indiscriminately to political dissidents. The army raided a bookstore and deported people in Cap Haïtien. Magloire’s method of governance was described as kansonfèrisme (iron pants), referring to his use of state-sanctioned violence. • 1957 Events: Soldiers fired into a crowd on Flag Day, 18 May, ending the protest. Kébreau put the army into action against Fignolé’s supporters, resulting in soldiers shooting protestors and continuing the killing in the bidonvilles, described as a frightening premonition of mass terror. Washington granted full recognition to the military junta under Kébreau shortly after this slaughter.
• Internal Issues: The Garde experienced conflict and corruption. There were mentions of coup plots. The army was politicized. During the 1957 events, there were divisions among the soldiers and a rivalry between officers like Cantave and Armand. Haiti was described as being without a unified military at one point due to the dissolution of the CEG and this rivalry.
• Relationship with the U.S.: The Garde’s pro-U.S. stance under Vincent is noted. The U.S. embassy sometimes had preferred candidates within the military hierarchy, such as Police Chief Pierre Armand. Washington’s quick recognition of the Kébreau junta is also highlighted. U.S. officials were aware of the political situation within the army hierarchy.
