The Canadian government is condemning the return of the former dictator known as "Baby Doc" to his native Haiti -- the country he fled following his ouster from power in 1986.
Hundreds of cheering supporters turned out at the Toussaint Louverture international airport in Port-au-Prince late Sunday afternoon for the surprise arrival of Jean-Claude Duvalier and his longtime companion Veronique Roy.
Our government is concerned that Haiti's former dictator has returned at a critical time in Haiti's democratic process," Dimitri Soudas, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's spokesperson, said in a terse statement.
"We urge all parties to respect Haiti's constitution, and the democracy, human rights and rule of law it represents."
Although the purpose of the visit is shrouded in mystery, the Associated Press reports that Roy told journalists gathered at the airport that Duvalier planned to stay three days.
"He is happy to be back in this country, back in his home," Duvalierist party Senate candidate Mona Beruaveau told reporters, describing a conversation she had with the former dictator at the airport's immigration office.
"He is tired after a long trip."
After greeting supporters, the pair headed to the Karibe Hotel in Port-Au-Prince where Duvalier appeared at one point on the balcony. Waving to supporters and journalists, AP reports all he said was "Tomorrow, tomorrow," apparently in reference to a news conference planned for Monday.
Still only hinting at his intentions, Duvalier told Radio Caraibes in an interview Monday that he's "not here for politics.
"I'm here for the reconstruction of Haiti."
Duvalier's return comes as Haiti struggles to sort through the confusion following the first-round presidential vote in late November. And, beyond the political crisis, the country is wracked by a deadly cholera outbreak and lasting devastation from the earthquake of January, 2010.
When asked why Duvalier chose to return now, Roy was blunt with reporters, replying simply: "Why not?"
Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive was similarly nonchalant about the former dictator's surprise return.
"He is a Haitian and, as such, is free to return home," Bellerive told AP, adding that "there's no reason to believe" Duvalier's return could further destabilize the already-fragile island nation.
But, in comments from France where she is attending a roundtable with Haitians, diplomats and UNESCO representatives this week, former Canadian governor general Michaelle Jean said she's "astounded" by Duvalier's casual return, "without warning, like a citizen, without reproach?"
The Canadian Press reports that Jean, whose family fled the Duvalier regime for Canada, also wonders whether Haitians can actually forget "the horrors, the suffering, the injustice" of his leadership.
In Montreal, many Haitian-Canadians were expressing their shock and anger.
"We are so mad, there are no words to explain how mad we are," Marjorie Villefranche told Â鶹´«Ã½ in a Haitian market in Montreal.
Duvalier was just 19 when he became Haiti's president for life following his father Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier's death in 1971.
Fifteen years later, Duvalier was overthrown in a popular uprising that ended the era of repression begun by his father in 1957.
Widely considered the darkest period in Haiti's history, the Duvaliers were known for bringing a violent end to political opposition using their secret police force Tonton Macoute.
Duvalier, now 59, wound up in France where he has remained in exile for 25 years.
During that time, he has hinted that he might one day return to Haitian politics. Following the ouster of president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, for example, Duvalier said he would return to contest the 2006 presidential elections.
Although he did not contest the vote that year, a foundation was established in Haiti aimed at reviving his political party and rehabilitating his image among the nation's population -- the majority of whom were not alive during his rule.
Then, in a 2007 French-language radio broadcast to Haitians, Duvalier urged his supporters to be ready for his homecoming. At the time, President Rene Preval said Duvalier was legally free to return to Haiti, but would face trial for the deaths of thousands of people and the theft of millions of dollars if he did.
So far, Preval has not commented publicly on the former dictator's return to his native soil.
With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
