[1][2] Namphy had been a member of the National Council of Government from 1986 until the February 1988 inauguration of Leslie Manigat, who had won the military-controlled 1988 general election.

As the IACHR put it, "Many people were outraged that these individuals could appear on television, without any disguise, confess their participation in these events and threaten future criminal acts with no fear of being arrested by the authorities.

Joseph Heubreux explained the coup as an attempt by non-commissioned officers to restore honor to the Armed Forces of Haiti and to end a period of random violence and confusion in the army chain of command under General Namphy.

Heubreux introduced the new head of state, Prosper Avril, as "the most honest officer" in the Haitian Armed forces.

[2]Avril had been removed from the National Council of Government in 1986 following demonstrations protesting his links to the previous regime of Jean-Claude Duvalier.