The Dominican Republic has announced plans to enhance security at its northern border with Haiti following an incident described as a “provocation.” According to the Dominican government spokesperson Homero Figueroa, a group of Haitians entered Dominican territory and interfered with an army patrol. Figueroa stated that the situation did not escalate, but as a precautionary measure, the army would increase the number of soldiers and vehicles patrolling the area.
Figueroa explained that the incident seemed to be a result of Haitian citizens misunderstanding the border limits between the two countries. He emphasized that the Dominican Army has the authority to patrol the area. However, Haitian media disputed the Dominican government’s account of the incident, reporting that Dominican soldiers had crossed the border into Haiti and threatened locals with firearms.
Videos circulating on social media, although unverified, showed a helicopter circling the border, with Haitian and Dominican soldiers standing near a border wall. Additionally, a burned tire emitted a column of black smoke. The Haitian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Figueroa condemned the incident as a provocation aimed at inciting a conflict with unpredictable consequences. The Dominican Republic has recently bolstered its border security and increased deportations of migrants due to the escalating gang violence in Haiti. In mid-September, they announced a complete border shutdown to facilitate the construction of a canal from a shared river.
Misunderstandings regarding the exact border line have arisen due to the construction of a border wall by Dominican authorities, leaving a strip of land for patrols within their territory. This incident occurred just days after Dominican President Luis Abinader met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss the security situation in Haiti.
This report was contributed by Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince, Octavio Jones in Tampa, and Sarah Morland in Mexico City. Editing was conducted by Anthony Esposito and Leslie Adler.
