WASHINGTON: The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against former Haitian President Michel Martelly on Tuesday, accusing him of drug trafficking, including the distribution of cocaine destined for the United States.
Martelly, who served as Haiti’s president from 2011 to 2016, is charged with using his political influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs. According to the Treasury Department’s statement, he was also involved in the laundering of drug proceeds and collaborated with local traffickers and gangs.
The statement highlighted that Martelly’s actions contributed to an environment in Haiti that exacerbates drug trafficking and associated violence.
The sanctions reflect similar actions taken by the Canadian government in 2022, which had previously imposed restrictions on Martelly and two former Haitian prime ministers for their alleged involvement in profiting from armed gangs.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, has been grappling with escalating gang violence, especially since February when armed groups forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Currently, criminal gangs control about 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, creating a climate of fear with threats of murder, rape, and kidnapping for ransom.
In response to the crisis, hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been deployed to Haiti as part of an international initiative to restore stability. This intervention aims to combat the chaos caused by political instability and violent criminal activity.
Bradley Smith, the Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, emphasized the significance of the sanctions. “Today’s action against Martelly underscores the substantial and destabilizing role that he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating Haiti’s ongoing crisis,” Smith said. “It is unacceptable for Haitian political and economic elites to plunder Haiti’s future.”
US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel also condemned Martelly’s actions, stating that the sanctions demonstrate the US’s commitment to holding accountable those whose activities fuel gang violence and undermine Haiti’s political stability, regardless of their position or influence.
