U.S. Sanctions Ex-Haitian President Michel Martelly Amid Drug Trafficking Allegations

The United States has imposed sanctions on Haiti's former President Michel Martelly over drug trafficking allegations. Martelly is accused of using his influence to facilitate drug trafficking and support Haiti-based gangs. The actions highlight the significant and destabilizing role of corrupt political elites in Haiti’s ongoing crisis.

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Haiti's former president, Michel Joseph Martelly, over allegations of drug trafficking, accusing him of significantly contributing to the country's ongoing crisis.

"Martelly abused his influence to facilitate drug trafficking and has sponsored multiple Haiti-based gangs," said Vedant Patel, State Department deputy spokesperson, during a press statement. Martelly, 63, held office from 2011 to 2016 after the 2010 earthquake.

The U.S. Treasury Department corroborated that Martelly abused his power to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine destined for the United States. He is also accused of working with Haitian drug traffickers, sponsoring multiple gangs, and laundering proceeds from drugs.

"Today's action against Martelly underscores the destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti," stated Bradley Smith, Treasury's Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. The sanctions include barring U.S. financial institutions from providing loans or credit to Martelly.

Martelly, a legal U.S. resident currently living in Miami, became known as the pop singer Sweet Micky before his presidency. His lawyer declined to comment. Martelly faced multiple corruption allegations during his presidency related to disaster relief and fund misuse.

In 2022, Canada sanctioned Martelly for financing gangs. The ongoing violence and gang wars in Haiti have displaced more than 578,000 people, with nearly 5 million facing acute hunger, as reported by the United Nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)