Port-au-Prince, Monday, December 15, 2025 – Former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly, ex-Senator Youri Latortue, former Senator Rony Célestin, and the “5 Segonn” gang appear on a new sanctions list adopted by the Council of the European Union, according to a statement released this Monday, December 15, 2025.
These measures target individuals and a criminal entity deemed responsible for “the escalation of gang violence, serious and persistent human rights violations” in Haiti, as well as the “persistent impunity” that the perpetrators of these acts allegedly enjoy, the statement specifies.
The EU text specifically accuses Michel Martelly and Youri Latortue of having “armed and financed several armed gangs” to promote their political agenda, defend their personal and economic interests, and control territory.
These new European sanctions follow several other international measures.
Michel Martelly had previously been sanctioned by the United States on August 19, 2024, for his alleged involvement in international drug trafficking and money laundering.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly on August 19, 2024, pursuant to Executive Order 14059 of December 15, 2021, entitled “Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the International Illicit Drug Trade.”
“Martelly has systematically abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, to the United States. Moreover, he has engaged in laundering illicit drug proceeds, worked with Haitian drug traffickers, and financed numerous Haiti-based gangs.”
Martelly was also sanctioned by the Canadian government on November 17, 2022, prohibiting all transactions on property or financial services with the individual in Canada or with Canadians abroad. Recently, Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) referred the matter to prosecutors for legal proceedings against him following an investigation into his asset declaration.
Youri Latortue, also a founding member of the Ayiti An Aksyon (AAA) party, had been sanctioned by Canada on November 4, 2022, for his “illicit financial and operational support to armed gangs.”
Célestin and the Néhémie Joseph Case
The European Council has also listed Rony Célestin, accusing him of being “involved in violence linked to armed groups and smuggling.” He is designated as “responsible for the assassination of journalist Néhémie Joseph,” who had denounced him for his illegal activities and corruption.
Journalist Néhémie Joseph, a correspondent for Radio Méga and Radio Panique in Mirebalais, was found shot dead in his car on October 10, 2019. His legal case is still pending at the Hinche Court of Appeals, six years after the facts. Rony Célestin had already been sanctioned by the Canadian government on November 19, 2025.
The “5 Segonn” Gang and Effects of Sanctions
The entity “5 Segonn,” a powerful gang based in the Village-de-Dieu neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, is also sanctioned. It is held responsible for a long list of abuses: theft, rape, kidnappings, murders, acts of piracy, extortion, obstruction of humanitarian aid, as well as arms and drug trafficking.
Concretely, the designated individuals and entity are subject to an asset freeze in the EU. It is now prohibited for European individuals and companies to provide them with funds or economic resources. They are also subject to a travel ban on EU territory. The legal acts formalizing these sanctions have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.
