Former Haiti President Michel Martelly Sanctioned by US for Role in Global Drug Trafficking – Grenada Chronicle

News America, New York, NY, August 20, 2024: The United States today sanctioned former Haitian President Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly for his involvement in the global illegal drug trade. Martelly, 63, a musician turned president, is accused by U.S. authorities of “abusing his influence to facilitate drug trafficking” and supporting multiple gangs based in Haiti.

LES CAYES, HAITI – AUGUST 20: Former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly gestures as he arrives at Antoine Simon Airport after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 20, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti. Rescue efforts have continued amid destroyed homes since the August 14 quake, which has so far left at least 2,200 dead and 12,268 injured. The epicenter was about 100 miles west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Days after the quake, Haitians were battered by Tropical Storm Grace. (Photo by Richard Pierrin/Getty Images)

“Drug trafficking and gang-related violence have contributed to political instability and insecurity in Haiti, creating an untenable situation for the Haitian people,” a U.S. State Department press release said. “It is unacceptable that Haitian political and economic elites are plundering Haiti’s future. Today’s action underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to holding accountable those whose activities fuel gang violence and destabilize Haiti, regardless of their position.”

Martelly was President of Haiti from May 2011 to February 2016. He resigned on February 10, 2016, leaving the country without a president for a week. On February 17, 2016, Jocelerme Privert succeeded him as interim president. Amid allegations of electoral fraud in the 2015 elections, Privert set up a month-long verification commission, which, after checking some 13,000 ballots, concluded that the election results had been tainted by unfairness and recommended new elections.

Between March and April 2012, Martelly was accused of corruption, with allegations that he accepted $2.6 million in bribes during and after the 2010 earthquake and presidential elections to ensure that a Dominican Republic construction company would continue to receive contracts under his presidency. Martelly denied the charges.(24) Companies owned or controlled by Félix Bautista had received $200 million in unbidden contracts awarded by former Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive. In October 2013, Martelly met with French-Polish arms dealer Pierre Dadak and two Canadian businessmen to discuss a $20 billion plan to develop Île-à-Vache, a plan that came to nothing but has been the source of some controversy.

In 2015, Pras Michel of the Fugees completed a documentary entitled Dear Micky for PresidentDirected by Ben Patterson, the film follows Martelly’s rise and his election campaign to fight corruption in Haiti. The documentary premiered at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival and later aired on Showtime.

After his presidency, Haitian Michel Martelly returned to his musical career and released a carnival mix entitled “Bal Bannann nan” (Give her the banana), in which he ridiculed famous Haitian journalist Liliane Pierre Paul.

On November 17, 2022, the Canadian government imposed joint sanctions on Martelly and former Haitian Prime Ministers Laurent Lamothe and Jean Henry Ceant. These sanctions were based on allegations of “gross and systematic human rights violations in Haiti,” specifically Martelly’s alleged support for violent armed gangs that terrorize the population. At the time, a press release from the office of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Martelly was “suspected of protecting and facilitating the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs.”

Martelly’s net worth is estimated to be at least $5 million.

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