Rosny Smarth, former Prime Minister of Haiti, was born 86 years ago

An Agronomist Trained in Chile

After studying economics at the University of Port-au-Prince, Rosny Smarth earned an agronomy degree in Santiago, Chile. In 1967, he took charge of the Chilean Institute for Agricultural Development. He then joined the committee tasked with implementing the land reform desired by Chilean President Salvador Allende. Later, he taught agronomy at Chapingo University in Mexico and worked as a UN expert in that same country. He was the brother of William Smarth, a priest and theologian.

From Advisor to Head of Government

From 1991 to 1994, he advised the Minister of Agriculture of Haiti. As a member of the Organization of Struggling People (OPL), the majority party in Parliament between 1995 and 1997, he was appointed Prime Minister on February 27, 1996, succeeding Claudette Werleigh.

A Resignation Amidst Political Deadlock

On June 9, 1997, in disagreement with President René Préval and facing the country's political deadlock, he submitted his resignation. He remained in office until October 20 of that year.