A little more than a year after a debilitating earthquake practically leveled the Haitian capital and destroyed innumerable surrounding towns, killing thousands and leaving survivors homeless (tent cities are still full, despite millions of dollars in relief aid pledged), exiled dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returned to his homeland. Many bloggers are still stunned at this latest political development and remain unclear as to the motive behind his visit. At first, Twitter was abuzz with what was, at the time, a rumour of his return – but it soon became clear that the rumour was true. Repeating Islands writes: My friend Morby from Port-au-Prince, through an sms, reports that Baby Doc has landed in Port-au-Prince…his presence can only complicate the present political situation in Haiti, where he still commands (inexplicably) substantial support. The photo above, which I took back in August, already anticipated his return. But why has he come back? Mainstream media are reporting that “he wanted to help in the rebuilding of his earthquake-battered nation”, but netizens aren't buying it. Very early on, @RAMHaiti tweeted: The idea that Jean Claude could return to Haiti was impossible to consider after his departure 25 years ago.. #Haiti Radio stations are talking about the return of Duvalier.. Preval needed a distraction Katlito's Blog posts a short time line of his reactions as the rumour is confirmed, saying: First off just like everyone else, the question that I am asking myself is, why is he here? what’s the purpose? No one seems to know. But one thing for sure is that the young people are happy to see him and those who lived under his harsh ruling have quite different feelings about this unexpected comeback… But one thing we need to ask ourselves, how did Duvalier obtain a diplomatic passport to come back? Who allowed it to be issued? How does that affect the political situation in Haiti? @MacMcClelland, who was re-tweeted by @RAMHaiti, posted: Everyone is in agreement that the Americans and French sent Baby Doc here to fuck with Preval. Despite Duvalier's wife's assurances that he is only in Haiti for a few days and has a return flight, @RAMhaiti is not taking his presence lightly, reporting his every move via Twitter: #Haiti Duvalier didn't speak.. Mob scene.. Looked scared.. Looked fragile..Got into car and left Just drove home..Nothing in the streets. For now Jean Claude Duvalier's return is more media. Live shots on TV of him in a restaurant #Haiti Live shots of Jean Claude in a reataurant tralking on his BlackBerry.. People who owe him money must be nervous #Haiti Even as some Tweeple hope that “the next leader/leaders of #Haiti are worthy of its people — strong, resilient, hopeful, visionary & JUST”, @RAMHaiti admits that: A lot has gone on in Haiti since JCDuvalier left. Hard to paint a rosy picture. Not only physical repression but economic too submergingmkt He adds: The 25 years that have passed since Duvalier make him appear more middle of the road #Haiti That last comment prompted a wave of discussion: @Only4RM: @RAMhaiti You say Haiti should be “farther along by now”. WISH Haiti was just at status quo since Duvalier left. At least 10 steps BACK. @RAMhaiti 1 definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over & over but expecting a different result. Haiti needs to look FWD to progress. And, in response to this tweet: @RAMhaiti: The Leaders, Namphy to Preval, 1986-2011, who followed the Duvaliers were “students” of the regime.. Its time for a change #Haiti @DaphneBourgoin responds: @RAMhaiti But they all promised change. Yet became worse then their teacher! There has also been some speculation as to whether the United States knew about/may have sanctioned the visit, with @Only4RM categorically stating: @Joe_Taxi We don't know the US knew for sure. But if they didn't, it would be a HUGE Hillary AND Bill Clinton FAIL. Either way, the reappearance of Duvalier in Haiti is curious. this isn't grey's anatomy writes: Just when we thought life here couldn't get any weirder…Twitter exploded with people reporting that Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier was on a plane on his way back to Haiti. Soon after that his plane landed, and he is now apparently being driven down Route Frere, waving to people out of the window as he passes by. Others are saying there are rumors that Aristide's Haitian passport has been renewed. All of this while the most recent election's results are still very disputed. Things could get really interesting. The Livesay Haiti Weblog refers to the development as “a peculiar turn of events”: Truth has fairly consistently been stranger than fiction here, so maybe the return of JeanClaude Duvalier (Baby Doc) shouldn't surprise us so.