CNN
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America has sanctioned former Haitian President Michel Martelly for alleged drug trafficking, accusing him of fueling the continuing violence and instability within the Caribbean nation.
The US Treasury Division alleges that Martelly abused his affect to facilitate drug trafficking into the US. It additionally accuses him of laundering illicit drug proceeds, working with Haitian drug traffickers and sponsoring a number of Haiti-based gangs.
The sanctions introduced Tuesday prohibit US establishments and people from monetary dealings with Martelly.
“As we speak’s motion towards Martelly emphasizes the numerous and destabilizing position he and different corrupt political elites have performed in perpetuating the continuing disaster in Haiti,” the Treasury’s Performing Below Secretary for Terrorism and Monetary Intelligence Bradley Smith stated.
US State Division spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the transfer “demonstrates america’ unwavering resolve to advertise accountability for all people whose actions contribute to gang violence and destabilize the political surroundings in Haiti, no matter their rank or stature.”
Martelly, who served as Haitian president from 2011 to 2016, was beforehand sanctioned by Canada on November 17, 2022, on suspicion of defending or supporting the actions of prison gangs.
CNN has reached out to Martelly for touch upon the newest sanctions.
Martelly is the newest Haitian official to face US sanctions in recent times.
In June 2023, the US sanctioned former Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe for the alleged misuse of tens of tens of millions of {dollars}, which he denied. In November 2022, the Treasury additionally levied sanctions towards then-President of the Haitian Senate Joseph Lambert and former Haitian Senator Youri Latortue, accusing them of drug trafficking. Latortue vehemently denied the allegations. On the time, Lambert didn’t reply to a CNN request for remark.
