Washington, D.C., August 20, 2024: – In a stunning announcement from Washington, D.C., the U.S. has imposed sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Martelly for his alleged involvement in international drug trafficking. U.S. officials claim that Martelly used his political power to facilitate the transport of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, to the United States. In addition to drug trafficking, Martelly is accused of backing violent gangs that have plunged Haiti into deep turmoil.
The U.S. Treasury Department stated that Martelly’s actions have directly contributed to the political chaos and gang violence devastating Haiti. His alleged ties to drug traffickers and involvement in money laundering have led U.S. authorities to take firm action against him.
Martelly and other corrupt elites have played a destabilizing role in Haiti’s crisis. Today’s sanctions make it clear that the United States won’t stand by while individuals profit from violence and corruption,” said Bradley Smith, the Treasury’s Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
The sanctions freeze any of Martelly’s assets in the U.S. and ban American citizens from doing business with him.
Haiti’s collapse has displaced over 578,000 people and pushed nearly half of its 11.7 million residents into severe hunger, with 1.6 million at risk of starvation. Armed gangs have unleashed widespread violence, carrying out killings, kidnappings for ransom, and horrific acts of sexual violence.
As the world watches Haiti’s crisis unfold, the U.S. action against Martelly could be a crucial step toward bringing stability to the struggling Caribbean nation.
