US Sanctions Former Haitian President Martelly Over Drug Trafficking Allegations

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on the former President of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly, under Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 of December 15, 2021, “Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade.”

According to the OFAC, Martelly has been accused of abusing his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the United States.

“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.

“The United States, along with our international partners, is committed to disrupting those who facilitate the drug trafficking, corruption, and other illicit activities fueling the horrific gang violence and political instability,” said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith.

Additionally, he has been linked to the laundering of illicit drug proceeds and has allegedly worked closely with Haitian drug traffickers. Martelly was previously sanctioned by the Government of Canada on November 17, 2022.

The sanctions also allege that Martelly sponsored multiple Haiti-based gangs, further perpetuating the cycle of violence and drug trafficking in the country.

The sanctions will freeze any assets Martelly may have in the US and prohibit American citizens from conducting business with him.

Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions.

OFAC is imposing the following prohibitions described in section 2 of E.O. 14059:

“(1) U.S. financial institutions are prohibited from making loans or providing credit to Martelly;

“(2) Any transactions in foreign exchange that are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and in which Martelly has any interest are prohibited; and

“(3) U.S. persons are prohibited from investing in or purchasing significant amounts of equity or debt instruments of Martelly.”