Haitian political figure André Michel barred fom US, announces presidential bid

Haitian lawyer and political figure André Michel was barred from traveling to the United States on Saturday, July 26, after being blocked from boarding a Sunrise Airways flight to Florida at Cap-Haïtien airport, according to multiple local media reports.

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Michel, who rose to prominence as a vocal critic of past governments and dubbed himself “avoka pèp la” (the people’s lawyer), was reportedly informed that his U.S. visa had been canceled. Airline staff at the northern city’s airport told the prominent attorney he would not be allowed to proceed through immigration, local outlets such as Métronome and Radio Télé Image reported.

As of Sunday, July 27, no official explanation had been released by U.S. authorities regarding the reason for the visa revocation. However, Michel is believed to be among a growing list of current and former Haitian officials, political leaders, and business figures accused of contributing to the country’s deepening instability and violence—individuals whose visas have been quietly revoked by the U.S. government in recent years.

Michel, a longtime opposition activist during the administration of Michel Martelly and later Jovenel Moïse, made a name for himself by pursuing high-profile legal cases and aligning with grassroots movements. His popularity has since declined, particularly after he joined Ariel Henry’s transitional government and became one of its fiercest defenders despite mounting criticism of the administration’s failure to provide basic services or security to the population.

Just hours after being turned away at the airport, Michel took to social media to announce his intention to run for Haiti’s presidency.

“I am announcing my presidential ambitions for the upcoming elections. I will present a political platform focused on security, economic and social development, and national sovereignty. The elimination of armed gangs is my top priority! Nou pa nan dyalòg ak gang!” he declared on his X account, formerly Twitter.

This is not the first time Michel has been denied entry to the U.S. He was subject to a similar visa cancellation in April 2015, during his opposition to the PHTK regime. His renewed visa troubles and presidential bid have sparked mixed reactions across Haiti. While some view the move as politically calculated, others see his announcement as a deflection from the embarrassment he suffered at Cap-Haïtien airport.

Michel’s campaign launch adds a new layer of intrigue to an already volatile political landscape as Haiti remains mired in crisis, with no clear timeline yet set for national elections.