The European Union (EU) on Monday approved sanctions against former Haitian President Michel Martelly and two other Haitian politicians for supporting gangs involved in escalating violence and serious human rights abuses in the country.
The new round of sanctions targets Martelly and two allied politicians who are responsible for arming and financing several criminal gangs to advance their political agenda, defend their personal and economic interests and control territory.
Specifically, the EU is pointing to the former president and former advisor for supporting Base 257, a group he co-founded, but also other influential bands such as Village de Dieu, Ti Bois and Grand Ravine. He helped arm and finance these groups, which is why the European bloc allows them to participate in the abuses committed by the gangs, which has destabilized the Caribbean country.
The other sanctioned politician is Rony Celestin, whom the EU has implicated in violence linked to armed groups, including the murder of journalist Néhémie Joseph, who exposed his illegal activities and corruption cases.
The EU adds to its “black list” the criminal gang 5 Segond, considered a powerful criminal group based in Port-au-Prince, to which the EU attributes robberies, rapes, kidnappings, murders, piracy, extortion, obstruction of humanitarian aid and arms and drug trafficking.
As is usual with European sanctions, sanctioned individuals are subject to an asset freeze and are not allowed to travel to the EU.
Armed gangs have plunged Haiti into violence and influenced all aspects of the country’s politics after then-President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021. In 2024, gangs attacked Port-au-Prince International Airport, halting operations for weeks and preventing Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning to the country.
The instability has also worsened the humanitarian crisis on the island, where more than 1.4 million people have been internally displaced by the wave of violence.
About The Author
