USA imposes sanctions on former Haitian president over drug trafficking allegations – JURIST

The U.S. Treasury Department announced Tuesday that it had imposed sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly for drug trafficking.

The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed these sanctions under Executive Order 14059, which targets individuals involved in the global illicit drug trade. These sanctions freeze assets Martelly may own in the United States and generally prohibit American companies from doing business with him. Among other things, US financial institutions are prohibited from granting loans to Martelly. The move is in line with similar actions taken by the Canadian government on November 20, 2022, which also imposed sanctions on Martelly and other former Haitian elites for allegedly protecting and facilitating the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs.

Martelly was President of Haiti from 2011 to 2016. Taking office after the devastating earthquake of 2010. He is accused of using his political influence to facilitate the smuggling of dangerous drugs into the United States. He is also accused of laundering drug trafficking proceeds and working with Haitian drug traffickers while also supporting several gangs in Haiti. He is currently a U.S. citizen living in Miami, but his immigration status is currently unknown as neither the U.S. State Department can comment on his immigration status nor his attorney will comment on the case.

Bradley T. Smith, acting Under Secretary of State for Counterterrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized his lack of political responsibility, stating:

Today's action against Martelly underscores 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 drug trafficking, corruption, and other illicit activities that fuel the horrific gang violence and political instability.

Haiti, one of the poorest Countries in Latin America and the Caribbeanhas the highest crime and corruption rates in the Caribbean according to the Organised Crime Index and the Corruption Perceptions Index. The country has long struggled with serious Gang violence and over time it developed into an important transit point for illegal drugs heading for the USA. The Biden administration deported More than 70 Haitians returned home in April as the country continues to battle gang violence.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanction is part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking and political instability that have exacerbated Haiti's situation. long-lasting political, security and humanitarian crises.