The United States has imposed sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Martelly for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, which is believed to have contributed to the ongoing violence and instability in Haiti.
The US Treasury Department has accused Martelly of using his influence to facilitate drug trafficking into the US, as well as laundering illicit drug proceeds. Additionally, he is alleged to have collaborated with Haitian drug traffickers and supported various gangs in Haiti.
The sanctions, announced recently, prohibit any financial transactions between Martelly and US institutions or individuals. The Treasury's Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence emphasized the role of corrupt political elites, including Martelly, in perpetuating the crisis in Haiti.
A spokesperson from the US State Department highlighted the country's commitment to holding individuals accountable for their involvement in gang violence and political destabilization in Haiti, regardless of their status.
Michel Martelly, who served as the President of Haiti from 2011 to 2016, had previously faced sanctions from Canada in November 2022 for suspected ties to criminal gangs.
This is not the first instance of US sanctions against Haitian officials. In June 2023, former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe was sanctioned for alleged financial misconduct, while in November 2022, sanctions were imposed on then-President of the Haitian Senate Joseph Lambert and former Senator Youri Latortue for alleged drug trafficking.
These actions reflect the US government's efforts to address corruption and criminal activities that undermine stability and security in Haiti.
