SANTO DOMINGO/OUANAMINTHE, Haiti – In response to rising tensions regarding a water channel construction project, the Dominican Republic is set to close its border with Haiti starting Friday at 6 a.m. (1000 GMT). Dominican President Luis Abinader announced the closure, stating it would last “as long as necessary,” though discussions with the Haitian government will continue.
On Thursday, hundreds of Haitians returned home as authorities briefly opened the border at Ouanaminthe to allow individuals being deported or families wishing to return. Reports indicate that between 250 and 300 Haitians were arriving daily in poor conditions, according to Harold Estimable, the director of the national migration office in Ouanaminthe.
The United Nations has raised alarms over the treatment of Haitian women in the Dominican Republic, indicating that they face arrest during medical check-ups related to pregnancy and postpartum care, leading to immediate deportations without the ability to appeal.
The Dominican Republic has stepped up border security amid escalating gang violence in Haiti, where incidents of kidnapping and sexual assault are frequent. This crackdown has involved the deportation of tens of thousands of Haitians fleeing the turmoil.
Border Closure Details
President Abinader emphasized that preparations for the border closure had been underway for weeks. He characterized the decision as a necessary response, adding that the Dominican Republic might supervise the water project if the Haitian government fails to do so. The current construction works, located off the River Massacre, have been deemed a violation of a 1929 treaty by Dominican officials.
Abinader is expected to bring up this issue during an upcoming visit to the United Nations. He said, “Unfortunately, they left us no alternative but to take drastic measures,” referring to the impending construction of two dams that could adversely impact Haiti if not regulated by the treaty.
The border shutdown will encompass all land, sea, and air routes, with the Dominican government dispatching an additional 20 armored vehicles to its military camp at the border. In reaction, Haiti’s government affirmed its sovereignty over its resources and stated it would protect the interests of its people, particularly concerning irrigation in the Maribahoux plain.
In anticipation of the border closure, local airline Sunrise Airways added a flight between the two countries on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy has advised its citizens in Haiti to consider leaving the country and stated that those planning to cross into the Dominican Republic will need to make alternative travel arrangements.
