The Garcia family is forced to leave the Dominican Republic in the novel because their father, Carlos Garcia, is part of a revolution against dictator Raphael Trujillo, a revolution that occurred in real life during the time in which the novel is set. While Trujillo is barely mentioned in the novel, his regime, considered one of the deadliest in Latin American history, provides the impetus for all that occurs in the book because as a political opponent, Carlos’s life would have been in real danger under Trujillo. Trujillo ruled the Dominican Republic from 1930 until 1961, when he was assassinated. Trujillo worked to have positive propaganda about him released throughout the country while he used his position in the military and placements of family members in positions of power to retain violent control.

Trujillo, himself, grew up in poverty. His actions while he was in power served to elevate aspects of the Dominican Republic’s economy, but his subjugation of and violence against those in his country dominates international opinion about him, as he detained and murdered people at will. While his grandmother was Haitian, his regime perpetuated and promoted hate against Haitian people, and as is explained in the novel, he called for the execution of Haitian people with dark complexions.