A former president of Haiti faces penalties from the US due to drug trafficking

The United States placed sanctions on Michel Joseph Martelly, the former president of Haiti, on Tuesday due to his alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking. The accusations stemmed from his alleged important role in prolonging the continuing conflict in the nation.

In an official statement, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that Martelly “abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the United States.”

He allegedly financed many gangs, collaborated with Haitian drug traffickers, and laundered the proceeds of illegal drug sales, according to the agency.

The statement from Bradley Smith, Treasury’s Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that “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 is committed to disrupting those who facilitate drug trafficking, corruption, and other illicit activities that fuel the horrific gang violence and political instability,” said the statement, in collaboration with our international allies.

The move on Tuesday prevents Americans from doing business with Martelly and freezes any of his US assets.

More than 5 million Haitians, or over half of the country’s 11.7 million inhabitants, are suffering from acute hunger, with 1.6 million of them at risk of famine, according to the UN. Gang violence have also forced more than 578,000 people from their homes.

While engaging in numerous murders, kidnappings for ransom, and sexual assaults, armed gangs have come together to create a broad alliance.