Michel Joseph Martelly, President of Haiti, addresses the general debate of the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN world headquarters in New York Sep. 26, 2012. (UN Photo Credit: J. Carrier)
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The U.S. has sanctioned former Haiti president Michel Joseph Martelly for alleged drug trafficking accusing him of fueling the rampant gang violence and political instability in the Caribbean nation. The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement Tuesday that Martelly “abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the United States.” Martelly also allegedly engaged in the laundering of illicit drug proceeds, worked with Haitian drug traffickers, and sponsored multiple Haiti-based gangs, the Treasury department added. The sanctions prohibit U.S. institutions and individuals from engaging in financial dealings with the former Haitian president. Martelly was previously sanctioned by the Government of Canada on November 17, 2022 for allegedly financing criminal gangs.
“Today’s action against Martelly emphasizes the significant and destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti,” said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. “The United States, along with our international partners, is committed to disrupting those who facilitate the drug trafficking, corruption, and other illicit activities fueling the horrific gang violence and political instability.”
Martelly served as Haiti’s president from 2011 to 2016. Poverty-stricken Haiti has been locked in the grip of gang violence. Gangs control about 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince. In June it was reported that the violence had displaced nearly 580,000 people from their homes this year.
“It is unacceptable for Haitian political and economic elites to plunder Haiti’s future,” U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement.
“Narcotics trafficking and gang-related violence have contributed to political instability and insecurity in Haiti, which has created an untenable living situation for the Haitian people.”
