Laurent Lamothe Publicly Breaks With Michel Martelly, Calls Past Support His “Biggest Mistake”

Former Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has publicly declared a definitive and irreversible break with former President Michel Martelly, ending years of speculation surrounding the status of their political and personal relationship.

In a statement posted on social media early this morning, Lamothe revealed that the rupture between the two men began as far back as 2014 and became final on July 9, 2021 — one day after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. According to Lamothe, that moment marked the absolute end of any remaining ties.

“I remained loyal for years,” Lamothe wrote, “but loyalty becomes impossible when ingratitude takes over and when manipulation becomes a permanent political mode of operation.” He added that since 2021, there has been “no more team” and “no more link” between himself and Martelly.

Lamothe said he chose to address the matter openly to put an end to what he described as ongoing confusion about his political position. But the most striking moment of his message came when he issued a direct apology to the Haitian population for having supported Michel Martelly’s rise to power.

“I owe an apology to the Haitian people,” Lamothe wrote. “Supporting Michel Martelly’s presidency was the biggest mistake of my life.”

Lamothe served as Prime Minister of Haiti from May 2012 to December 2014 under President Martelly’s administration, a period marked by major political tensions, protests, and international scrutiny. Their alliance was once considered one of the most powerful political partnerships in the country, shaping Haiti’s leadership for nearly a decade.

However, in the years following the end of his term, rumors of internal conflict, power struggles, and political distancing between Lamothe and Martelly continued to circulate. Today’s statement represents the clearest and most direct public confirmation that their alliance is not only over, but irreparable.

The timing of Lamothe’s declaration is also significant, as Haiti continues to grapple with deep political instability, unresolved questions surrounding President Moïse’s assassination, and a population increasingly demanding accountability from past and present leaders.

Political observers view Lamothe’s statement as a major political repositioning that could influence future alignments within Haiti’s fractured political landscape. Whether it marks a broader return to active political engagement remains unclear, but his words have already sent shockwaves through Haitian political circles, both at home and in the diaspora.

For many Haitians, the apology carries symbolic weight, reopening discussions about responsibility, accountability, and the long-term impact of leadership decisions that continue to shape the country’s ongoing crisis.