Former Haitian President Michel Martelly Files Presidential Candidacy Despite International Sanctions

Former Haitian President Michel Martelly, who led the country from 2011 to 2016, filed his candidacy on Friday with the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), accompanied by three lawyers and followed by several hundred supporters, according to fr.africanews.com and abidjantv.net. Already registered online, the former leader, previously known as the musician 'Sweet Micky,' formalized his participation in the December 13 presidential election, part of the first general elections held in more than ten years. He is running under the Debloke coalition, which includes former members of the Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale (PHTK), which he once led. 'When I left in 2016, the country was still standing, but today it is on the ground,' Martelly said. His candidacy comes despite sanctions imposed by the United States and Canada, which accuse him of facilitating drug trafficking and supporting armed gangs. On October 9, the CEP removed a provision targeting candidates sanctioned by foreign countries. The move unfolds amid a sharply deteriorated security climate: gang violence has displaced more than 1.4 million people, and armed groups control roughly 70% of Port-au-Prince. The CEP extended the candidacy deadline to October 31, with sixteen presidential candidates registered so far.