Michel Martelly, who became President of the Republic of Haiti by an accident of history, no longer seems to enjoy the status of a respected political leader. His setbacks, which have been multiplying since the publication by the American authorities of a file linking him to criminal gangs in Haiti and to the drug mafia, are today taking a most humiliating turn.
Last weekend, according to many witnesses and Internet users, Martelly suffered a resounding setback in New Jersey. He was supposed to perform “privately” but the police intervened and ordered the event to be stopped immediately. Under US sanctions prohibiting any lucrative activity linked to his person, Martelly was therefore banned from the road by an order requiring that anyone not associate with him.
Things didn’t get any better for the bawdy singer turned accidental president, with the cancellation of another event scheduled for September 1 in New York.
Organized by Guitario Roche, a well-known community promoter, the event was supposed to defy existing bans, but was ultimately postponed. Despite Roche’s resistance, the American authorities have reiterated the inflexibility of their decisions: Martelly will not be able to perform in New Jersey or New York, and his horizon is shrinking more and more.
As a result, “Sweet Micky” Martelly now finds himself confined, unable to perform in the United States, and his future is uncertain. He may have to retire to better pastures, but for now, his star has been seriously tarnished since official revelations about his proximity to armed criminal gangs plunged Haiti into total chaos.
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