How Alexandre Pétion Funded Simón Bolívar

In 1816 Simón Bolívar arrived in Haiti broke and defeated. Alexandre Pétion gave him money, arms, a printing press and Haitian volunteers, and asked for one thing in return: the abolition of slavery in every territory Bolívar liberated. This Deep Dive follows Pétion from the child his father refused to name, to silversmith, artillery officer and president of the southern republic. We look at the land reform that put soil in farmers' hands, and the paradox of a democrat who made himself president for life.

Read the full transcript on Jou: https://jou.rasanblaj.ht/podcast/deep-dive/2026-10-17/transcript