PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) 鈥� Former Haitian President Michel Martelly returned to on Wednesday, making a rare visit to his homeland.
Several dozen supporters greeted Martelly, who served as president from 2011 to 2016 and lives in the United States.
He did not answer questions as he made his way through the crowd. Supporters played music, held pictures of him and shouted, 鈥淭he father is back!鈥� and 鈥淟ong live Martelly!鈥�
Martelly has not said why he traveled to Haiti, although local media have reported that he is expected to testify as part of the ongoing investigation into of former President Jovenel Mo茂se.
He has not been accused or charged in the case.
Martelly had chosen Mo茂se ; both are members of the T猫t Kale Party, or PHTK. It has played a prominent role in Haitian politics but did not register a candidate for the upcoming general elections, which have not been held for more than a decade.
Martelly, a musician known as 鈥淪weet Micky,鈥� has long faced corruption accusations.
In November 2022, Canada sanctioned Martelly, and in August 2024, , accusing him of facilitating drug trafficking and sponsoring multiple gangs.
鈥淚t is unacceptable for Haitian political and economic elites to plunder Haiti鈥檚 future,鈥� the U.S. Department of State said at the time.
In December 2025, the Council of the European Union announced a travel ban and an asset freeze against Haitian politicians including Martelly, whom it accused of arming and financing gangs to promote his political agenda, control territory and defend his personal and economic interests.
Haiti鈥檚 Anti-Corruption Unit also has accused Martelly of misrepresenting assets.
Martelly’s arrival comes as Haiti with deepening poverty and a surge in gang violence.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
