Michel Martelly

Michel Martelly, known as Sweet Micky, won the Haitian presidential election in a runoff against Mirlande Manigat. His campaign appealed to the poor and used his fame as a konpa musician. He took office on May 14, 2011.

Martelly's administration was accused of widespread corruption, including misuse of PetroCaribe funds and nepotism. Protests erupted demanding his resignation, and international donors suspended some aid due to lack of transparency.

Martelly's government repeatedly postponed legislative and local elections, leading to a constitutional crisis. By January 2015, Parliament was dissolved, and Martelly ruled by decree, drawing criticism from the opposition and international observers.

Martelly's term ended on February 7, 2016, without a successor elected due to disputed elections. He handed power to an interim president, Jocelerme Privert, and left Haiti. His departure left the country in a prolonged political crisis.