SANTO DOMINGO, Sept 23 – Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader called on the United Nations to enhance its support for Haiti, urging the deployment of additional troops and the enforcement of tighter arms regulations amid escalating gang violence in the neighboring country.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Abinader remarked that while the Security Council has approved a framework for an international force in Haiti, it has yet to establish effective measures to implement it. He emphasized the need for full deployment of the mission, strict enforcement of the arms embargo, and sanctions targeting gang financing to stabilize Haiti’s security situation.
“Renewing without completing would be to prolong an unfulfilled promise,” Abinader noted, referencing the imminent expiration of the force’s mandate next week.
The President highlighted a recent attack in Kenscoff, a community near Port-au-Prince, where gunmen killed at least 47 individuals, including children, in one of the deadliest assaults in recent time. He pointed out that the security crisis in Haiti has worsened, despite prior international intervention efforts. Currently, a force that can include up to 5,550 personnel has been authorized, though only about 20% of that number has been deployed.
Abinader stated that the Dominican Republic has contributed to the international response, supporting the Security Council resolution, providing financial assistance to the fund, and facilitating logistics and operations for the UN from its territory. The country has enforced sanctions and has also offered medical care for mission personnel in its hospitals.
He reiterated that the Dominican Republic will maintain its efforts to secure its borders and enforce migration laws, asserting that “there is no Dominican solution” to the crisis facing Haiti. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and has consistently voiced concerns that ongoing unrest in Haiti directly threatens its national security.
