US imposes sanctions on Haitian president over drug trafficking

The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Haitian President Michel Martelly for his role in several drug smuggling networks that have expanded far beyond the Caribbean country’s borders.

“Today, the United States is nominating Haitian President Michel Martelly for his role in the global illicit drug trade,” Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the State Department, said in a statement Tuesday.

“It is unacceptable that Haitian political and economic elites are plundering Haiti’s future,” Patel said. “Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ unwavering determination to promote accountability for all individuals whose activities contribute to gang violence and destabilize Haiti’s political environment, regardless of their rank or status.”

The State Department accused Martelly of abusing his influence to traffic drugs and sponsor several gangs based in Haiti.

“Martelly abused his influence to facilitate drug trafficking and sponsored multiple Haitian gangs,” Patel said. “Drug trafficking and gang-related violence have contributed to political instability and insecurity in Haiti, creating an untenable living situation for the Haitian people.”

In recent years, chaos has erupted in Haiti as criminal organizations have taken over the capital, Port-au-Prince.

In March, the Dominican Republic announced plans to quickly build a 400-kilometer border wall along its shared border with Haiti on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola in an effort to protect the country from rising crime.

Dominican President Luis Abinader deployed soldiers and construction workers to seal off the border, while conditions on the western side of the island have deteriorated into anarchy in recent weeks as gangs and warlords have gained increasing power in Haiti.

Abinader said border security has become a major concern following the escape of more than 4,000 prisoners in Haiti after gangs attacked police stations in the spring months to carry out prison breaks.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was barred from entering the country earlier this year after he traveled to Kenya to negotiate outside support to help the government regain control. Gangs have taken over the airport in Port-au-Prince.

Haiti has been in danger for more than a decade, having yet to recover from the 2010 earthquake that killed nearly 300,000 people.

In 2021, then-Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated. Martine Moise, his widow, and Claude Joseph, a former prime minister, were charged earlier this year with involvement in the assassination plot.

The United Nations estimates that 33,000 Haitians fled Port-au-Prince in two weeks in April.

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Scores of Haitians have fled the island and traveled to other countries in South America, Central America, Mexico and the U.S. Since President Joe Biden took office, more than 200,000 Haitians have been encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border trying to enter the U.S., according to federal data.

By sanctioning Martelly, the US will impose penalties and other enforcement measures to incentivize him to stop collaborating with criminal organizations.