Williams Régala
Encyclopedia
Williams Régala is a former member of Haiti
's National Council of Government
. He was a member of the short-lived first council (7 February 1986 - 20 March 1986), as well as the second council, which ruled until 7 February 1988, when Leslie Manigat
took office. Régala had been the head of the secret service under Jean-Claude Duvalier
, and was Interior Minister under the National Council. When Manigat took office he appointed Régala Minister of Defense.
Régala was alleged to have been involved in the illegal drug trade in Haiti
. "The U.S. senate ... heard testimony in 1988 that then interior minister, Gen. Williams Regala, and his DEA liaison officer, protected and supervised cocaine shipments."
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
's National Council of Government
National Council of Government
The National Council of Government was the ruling body of Haiti from 1986 to 1988. The council was first established on February 7, 1986 as a joint military and civilian provisional government following the exile of President for Life Jean-Claude Duvalier. The council consisted of a President,...
. He was a member of the short-lived first council (7 February 1986 - 20 March 1986), as well as the second council, which ruled until 7 February 1988, when Leslie Manigat
Leslie Manigat
Leslie François Saint Roc Manigat was elected president of Haiti by a tightly controlled military held election in January 1988.-In education:...
took office. Régala had been the head of the secret service under Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier, nicknamed "Bébé Doc" or "Baby Doc" was the President of Haiti from 1971 until his overthrow by a popular uprising in 1986. He succeeded his father, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier, as the ruler of Haiti upon his father's death in 1971...
, and was Interior Minister under the National Council. When Manigat took office he appointed Régala Minister of Defense.
Régala was alleged to have been involved in the illegal drug trade in Haiti
Illegal drug trade in Haiti
The illegal drug trade in Haiti involves trans-shipment of cocaine and marijuana to the United States. It is a major shipment route. The island of Hispaniola, which Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic, places it in an ideal location for drug smugglers, between Colombia and Puerto Rico...
. "The U.S. senate ... heard testimony in 1988 that then interior minister, Gen. Williams Regala, and his DEA liaison officer, protected and supervised cocaine shipments."