By: Barbara Meo-Evoli and Wadner Pierre - HaitiAnalysis.com

Jacmel is a regular tourist destination in Haiti, with beautiful beaches and lush surroundings. Its name derives from an Indian word which means “rich land". Similar to other areas in Haiti, many people make their living off produce and the agricultural economy can be seen hard at work. Jacmel is host to numerous artists. On November 3, 1996 then former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and representatives of numerous grassroots organizations from across Haiti met in Jacmel and founded the Fanmi Lavalas movement in order to oppose economic privatization programs being promoted by political elites and foreign donors. Two hundred years prior Jacmel was at the center of the Caribbean’s coffee trade.