WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)— The US Treasury Department unveiled sanctions against former Haitian president Michel Martelly on Tuesday for trafficking “dangerous drugs” destined for the United States.

Martelly, a former musician who served as president of the Caribbean nation between 2011 and 2016, “abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the United States,” the US Treasury said in a statement.

He was also involved in “laundering of illicit drug proceeds,” working with local drug traffickers and sponsoring multiple Haiti-based gangs, the statement added.

The actions taken by the US on Tuesday echo similar moves from the Canadian government, which imposed sanctions in 2022 against Martelly and two other ex-prime ministers, accusing them of profiting from armed gangs.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long been rocked by gang violence, but conditions sharply worsened in February, when armed groups forced the resignation of then-prime minister Ariel Henry.

Criminal groups control some 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince, with residents saying they have faced the threat of murder, rape and kidnapping for ransom.

Hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been deployed to Haiti, part of an international effort to bring stability to the country riven by political, social and economic chaos.

“Today’s action against Martelly emphasises the significant and destabilising role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti,” said Bradley Smith, the Treasury’s acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

“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,” he added.