Gone are the rumors about Michel Joseph Martelly's intentions to become president of Haiti again. The 56th Haitian head of state is officially a contender for the highest magistracy under the banner of the political group Debloke. He is among the 16 men registered on the online platform of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) as of October 16, 2026.

A konpa musician known as Sweet Micky, Michel Martelly led the country from May 14, 2011, to February 7, 2016. He remains a controversial figure in national political life. His candidacy comes a few months after his brief visit to Haiti in July 2026. On July 20, Mr. Martelly was at the chambers of investigating judge of the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal, Jean Denis Cyprien, as part of the additional information ordered in the case of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. He left the country on July 30 from Cap-Haïtien, heading to Florida.