According to a news release from the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the ex-president of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly (aka “Sweet Micky”), has been sanctioned.
The statement explains that Martelly was involved in the worldwide criminal drug trade. As a result of Martelly and other corrupt government officials’ participation in intensifying Haiti’s political turmoil, the action was taken under Executive Order 14059, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who engage in the illicit drug trade.
According to Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley T. Smith, the actions taken against Martelly highlighted the corrupt political elites and his role in the continuation of the Haitian crisis. The US and its allies are determined to root out the unlawful activities that contribute to political uncertainty and gang violence.
Reports reveal that Haiti has a lengthy history of human rights violations and extensive gang activity. It is an entry point for illegal narcotics headed for the US. Haiti’s situation has worsened due to the drug trade’s ties to influential politicians and businesses.
Martelly is alleged to have exploited his political position to aid in the shipment of cocaine and other deadly narcotics to the US, as stated in the press release. He is also accused of funding gangs in Haiti and laundering money from these illegal actions.
The sanctions effectively ban all American financial institutions from extending credit or loans to the former president. Americans can not invest or buy any equity controlled by Martelly or debt collateral, and they can’t be involved in any foreign exchange operations with Martelly’s involvement that the US government may regulate.
In November of 2022, the Canadian government imposed sanctions against former president Martelly, along with former Prime Ministers Jean Henry Ceant and Laurent Lamothe, for their roles in funding gangs in Haiti.
Taking power in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake, Martelly was president between 2011 and 2016 with US backing. Before taking office, Martelly had been a musician who went by the stage name “Sweet Micky.” He continued to perform gigs in South Florida after he left office.
