The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on Tuesday, August 20, against former Haitian President Michel Martelly for his involvement in drug trafficking, including cocaine, destined for the United States.

Martelly, who served as president of Haiti from 2011 to 2016 and was previously a popular musician, has been accused of abusing his political influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs. According to the U.S. Treasury, Martelly also engaged in the laundering of illicit drug proceeds and collaborated with local drug traffickers, while supporting multiple gangs based in Haiti.

This action by the U.S. mirrors similar sanctions imposed by the Canadian government in 2022 against Martelly and two former Haitian prime ministers, who were accused of benefiting from the activities of armed gangs. The sanctions reflect a growing international concern over the role of political elites in Haiti's ongoing crisis.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has been plagued by escalating gang violence, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where criminal groups now control approximately 80% of the city. Residents have reported widespread violence, including threats of murder, rape, and kidnapping for ransom, as the country grapples with severe political, social, and economic instability.

The situation in Haiti deteriorated further in February, leading to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry under pressure from armed groups. In response to the escalating crisis, hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been deployed to Haiti as part of an international effort to restore stability.

“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 Bradley Smith, the Treasury’s acting under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. He added that the sanctions highlight the U.S. government’s commitment to holding accountable those who contribute to gang violence and the destabilization of Haiti's political environment.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel reinforced this stance, stating that the sanctions demonstrate the U.S.’s “unwavering resolve to promote accountability for all individuals whose activities contribute to gang violence and destabilize the political environment in Haiti, regardless of their rank or stature.”