On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly (Martelly) pursuant to Executive Order 14059 of December 15, 2021, "Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade."

"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," said Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "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"

"Martelly abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, into the United States. In addition, Martelly engaged in laundering illicit drug proceeds, worked with Haitian drug traffickers, and sponsored several Haiti-based gangs. Martelly was previously sanctioned by the Government of Canada on November 17, 2022. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38184-haiti-flash-canada-sanctions-martelly-lamothe-and-ceant.html

Martelly was sanctioned for engaging in or attempting to engage in activities or transactions that significantly contributed to, or pose a significant risk of contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. Today’s sanctions measure imposes several prohibitions related to Martelly.

OFAC worked closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration on this sanctions measure.

"As a result of this action, 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.

U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 14059. 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. [...]"

HL/ HaitiLibre