The United States has imposed sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly due to allegations of drug trafficking. Martelly is accused of playing a significant role in exacerbating the ongoing crisis in the country.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Martelly has “abused his influence to facilitate the trade of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the U.S.” Martelly, who served as the president of the Caribbean nation from 2011 to 2016, reportedly also worked alongside Haitian drug traffickers, sponsored several gang groups, and engaged in money laundering of illegal drug proceeds.
Bradley Smith, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Treasury, stated, “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.” He added that the U.S., along with international partners, is committed to disrupting those who promote drug trafficking, corruption, and other illegal activities that fuel rampant gang violence and political instability.
The sanctions imposed on Martelly freeze all his assets in the U.S. and prohibit Americans from doing business with him. This action follows similar measures taken by the Canadian government, which imposed sanctions against Martelly and two other former prime ministers in 2022, accusing them of profiting from armed gangs.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long been plagued by gang violence, but the situation has significantly worsened since February, when armed groups forced the then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign. Criminal groups control approximately 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and residents are facing threats of murder, rape, and kidnapping for ransom.
To help bring stability to the politically, socially, and economically chaotic Haiti, hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been deployed to the country. According to the United Nations, over 578,000 Haitians have been displaced due to gang violence, while nearly 5 million—almost half of the population of 11.7 million—are facing acute food insecurity, with 1.6 million threatened by starvation.