Michel Martelly

Michel Martelly is a Haitian politician and former musician who served as Haiti’s president from 2011 to 2016. Known as Sweet Micky, he built a political career after decades as a popular kompa performer.

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René Préval: René Préval was a Haitian politician who served as president from 1996 to 2001 and 2006 to 2011. Préval was president immediately before Martelly and shaped the political landscape Martelly inherited.
Kompa: Kompa is a Haitian popular music genre built around dance rhythms, guitars, and syncopated percussion. Martelly’s musical fame came from performing kompa, the genre that made Sweet Micky a household name.
Haiti Reconstruction Fund: The Haiti Reconstruction Fund is a multi-donor trust fund established to coordinate financing for Haiti’s post-earthquake reconstruction. Its work formed part of the recovery effort overseen during Martelly’s presidency.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide: Jean-Bertrand Aristide is a former Haitian priest and politician who served as president in three periods between 1991 and 2004. Aristide entered politics through liberation theology and mass organizing, unlike Martelly’s celebrity path.
Jovenel Moïse: Jovenel Moïse was a Haitian politician who served as president from 2017 until his assassination in 2021. Moïse succeeded Martelly after winning the election held during Martelly’s final year in office.
Sweet Micky: Sweet Micky is the stage persona used by Haitian singer Michel Martelly. Under this name, Martelly became a provocative, widely known performer before entering politics.
PetroCaribe: PetroCaribe is a Venezuelan oil cooperation program that offered participating Caribbean states favorable financing terms. PetroCaribe funds received by Haiti became central to allegations of misuse during and after Martelly’s administration.
Haitian Tèt Kale Party: The Haitian Tèt Kale Party is a political party founded by supporters of Michel Martelly. Martelly’s party organization contrasted with his outsider image and became the vehicle for his political allies.
Laurent Lamothe: Laurent Lamothe is a Haitian businessman and politician who served as prime minister from 2012 to 2014. Lamothe was Martelly’s prime minister during a central period of his administration.
2010–2011 Haitian general election: The 2010–2011 Haitian general election selected a president and legislators amid earthquake recovery and disputes over results. Martelly reached the presidency through a runoff whose outcome was revised after international review.