Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former priest and Haiti's first democratically elected president, was ousted from power due to a violent coup by armed insurgents. The coup emerged from rising unrest against Aristide's government, which had faced accusations of corruption and mishandling the economy, leading to widespread poverty and increasing gang violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

As opposition groups, composed of former military officers and members of Aristide's political rivals, gained strength, they began a campaign to destabilize Aristide's administration. In a matter of weeks, the rebels made significant territorial gains, capturing towns and eventually advancing towards the capital. Aristide's government, struggling to respond effectively, saw its control quickly diminishing.

On the eve of his departure, Aristide contended he was effectively kidnapped by the United States, which had moved to facilitate his exit as violence escalated in the capital. As he fled to the Central African Republic, the international community debated the legitimacy of the coup and the subsequent humanitarian crisis—Haiti was left in turmoil, with power vacuums leading to further instability. An interim government was established shortly after, but the long repercussions of Aristide's removal would be felt for years.