Víctor Bisonó, the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Dominican Republic, has called for expedited international action to address the escalating security crisis in Haiti, emphasizing its significant impact on his country. During an interview in Madrid ahead of the XXX Ibero-American Summit, Bisonó criticized the “lack of continuity” in global initiatives aimed at stabilizing Haiti.
“The Dominican Republic is perhaps the first barrier,” Bisonó stated, noting that his country experiences the immediate effects of instability in Haiti. He stressed the need for international support to help Haiti resolve its issues internally rather than relying solely on external assistance.
Bisonó highlighted the slow progress in deploying UN-led international forces intended to restore stability in Haiti. He attributed delays to bureaucratic obstacles and insufficient funding from major powers. He expressed disappointment with the pace of these efforts, stating, “Undoubtedly, we would like things to be faster, more efficient, and to have more success.”
The Dominican Republic has committed $20 million to support initiatives aimed at stabilizing Haiti and has provided logistical assistance, although Bisonó noted direct intervention is beyond their capacity. He pointed out that stability in Haiti is critical to the Dominican economy, arguing that peaceful conditions would lead to increased trade, as Haitians would be more capable of purchasing Dominican goods.
Furthermore, Bisonó supported the presence of Salvadoran personnel in Haiti, stating their deployment was sanctioned by Haitian authorities. He refrained from commenting on the status of four Salvadoran soldiers recently ambushed, acknowledging the pervasive violence in Haiti’s current climate.
The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed concern about the impact of the Haitian crisis on Dominican public services, highlighting a 30% increase in healthcare demand due to the influx of Haitian migrants. He emphasized the necessity of fostering conditions for development in Haiti to reduce forced migration.
As part of his trip to the Ibero-American Summit, Bisonó aims to showcase the Dominican Republic’s economic growth, which has averaged close to 5% annually over the past decade. He noted the importance of the country’s stability as a model for other nations in the region.
Regarding foreign relations, Bisonó acknowledged the strategic partnership with the United States, crediting U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio for re-energizing focus on Latin America. He addressed ongoing tariff measures and security enhancements in coordination with U.S. policies, expressing hope for collaborative regional dialogue within multilateral frameworks such as the Organization of American States.
The Ibero-American Summit will take place this Wednesday and Thursday, where the Dominican Republic is expected to discuss its experiences and strategies with fellow member states.
