Vincent, Sténio (Joseph) (1874-1959)

Haitian politician, president 1930-41. During the US occupation of 1915-34, he was elected president by the national assembly, after Joseph Bornó stepped down. A shrewd, pragmatic political tactician, he visited Washington in 1934 to successfully negotiate US withdrawal from the country. He had his term in office extended for five years by a plebiscite in 1935, and sought further extension in 1941, but was persuaded to retire by the USA. He was replaced by Élie Lescot.

Before his election as president, Vincent served as a senator and secretary of state, and also headed the Nationalist Party, which campaigned for the withdrawal of US troops.

He was drawn from the mulatto (mixed ethnic) social and political elite, and had a successful career as a lawyer and diplomat, representing Haiti, Berlin, and The Hague. He also founded two political journals.