19 Facts About Guy Philippe

Guy Philippe originally gained power in Haiti as a paramilitary leader, and had participated in the electoral process to become a political leader.

Guy Philippe served time in US federal prison from 2017 to 2023: On 21 June 2017, the United States, where he had spent some of the illegal proceeds, sentenced him to nine years in federal prison, in connection with money he received for ensuring police protection of drug trafficking during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2023, Guy Philippe was repatriated from US federal prison to Haiti.

Guy Philippe was born in Pestel, in the province of Grand'Anse.

Guy Philippe obtained his primary and secondary education at Institution Saint-Louis de Gonzague.

Guy Philippe was assigned to the newly created police force, which is why he was never formally part of the Haitian army.

Guy Philippe accepted a commission as a commander in the Haitian National Police, and then became the police chief of the Port-au-Prince suburb of Delmas from 1997 to 1999.

The Haitian government accused Guy Philippe of masterminding a deadly attack on the Police Academy in July 2001 and of an attempted coup in December 2001.

Five days after crossing back into Haiti and joining former militia leader Louis-Jodel Chamblain in announcing his support for anti-government forces, Guy Philippe was given command of the rebel army.

That same day, Guy Philippe announced he would arrest Haitian Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, who is a top official of Aristide's Lavalas party.

On 11 July 2005, Guy Philippe announced he would run for president for the FRN party.

Guy Philippe has been critical of the administration of the interim government, blaming them for the slow process of setting up registration centers throughout Haiti.

Guy Philippe was suspected of ties to illegal drug trafficking in Haiti.

Guy Philippe's supporters said the allegations against him were politically motivated, noting he had recently threatened to identify powerful Haitians who provided financial support for the 2004 coup d'etat.

Guy Philippe was indicted in the United States on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering.

In 2015, Guy Philippe began his campaign for Senator in the Haitian parliament, as a member of the National Consortium of Haitian Political Parties.

Guy Philippe was extradited to the US on the same day as his arrest.

Guy Philippe's arrest was not without controversy as the newly-elected senator had not yet been sworn in, and thus had not received the immunity from legal charges or arrest that is provided under Haitian law to protect serving lawmakers.

On 21 June 2017, after pleading guilty to money laundering, Guy Philippe was given a nine-year sentence by the United States federal government for taking bribes from drug smugglers.