US imposes sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Martelly over drug trafficking

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions against former Haitian President Michel Martelly over his involvement in drug trafficking, including cocaine bound for the U.S.

Martelly, a former musician, was president of the Caribbean country between 2011 and 2016 when he “abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the United States,” the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

The U.S. Department also said he was involved in “laundering illegal drug proceeds” by working with local drug traffickers and sponsoring several gangs in Haiti.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long struggled with gang violence. In February, however, conditions worsened significantly when armed groups forced then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

Criminal gangs control about 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince, and residents say they have faced threats of murder, rape and kidnapping for ransom.

Hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been deployed to Haiti as part of an international effort to bring stability to the country, which has been plagued by political, social and economic chaos.

“Today’s action against Martelly underscores the significant and destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti,” said Bradley Smith, the Treasury’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

“It is unacceptable that Haiti’s political and economic elites are plundering Haiti’s future,” U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said in a statement.
He added that the action taken Tuesday demonstrates the United States’ “unwavering determination to hold accountable all individuals whose activities contribute to gang violence and destabilize the political environment in Haiti, regardless of rank or status.”

Washington’s moves echo similar measures taken by the Canadian government, which in 2022 imposed sanctions on Martelly and two former prime ministers accused of profiting from armed gangs.