DAGABON, Dominican Republic (AP) — The president of the Dominican Republic introduced Thursday that he’ll shut all borders with neighboring Haiti beginning Friday over a dispute over a canal on the Haitian aspect that makes use of water from a river alongside their border.
President Louis Abi Nader stated that the air, sea and land borders will shut at 6 a.m. native time on Friday and can stay closed “till vital,” indicating that last-minute talks between the 2 international locations did not keep away from a closure. This can be a uncommon step for the Dominican Republic, and it might hurt the economies of each international locations, though its impression might be extra extreme in Haiti.
The closure is available in response to an agricultural group digging a canal on the Haitian aspect focusing on the waters of the Mascara River, which runs alongside the widespread border between the 2 international locations on the island of Hispaniola.
Abinader within the final days additionally It suspended the issuance of entry visas to Haitians and closed the border near the northern town of DagabonThis has crippled a significant financial lifeline for Haitians who purchase and promote items there a number of instances every week. Those that stay in Haiti however work within the Dominican Republic additionally cross the border day by day.
“They’re struggling lots right here in Dagabon, and in Haiti as nicely, as a result of there are numerous spoiled items,” stated Haitian businessman Pichillo Pitjon. “There are tens of millions of {dollars} in losses.”
Abi Nader accused Haiti of attempting to divert water from the Mascara River, and stated that this could have an effect on Dominican farmers and the atmosphere. Named after the bloody conflict between French and Spanish colonists within the 18th century, the river was additionally the location of a mass slaughter of Haitians by the Dominican military in 1937.
The Haitian Overseas Ministry stated on Wednesday She said she was meeting with Dominican officials in the Dominican Republic To speak concerning the scenario. The Dominican authorities stated on Thursday that the assembly had prolonged to its second day, however didn’t present particulars. The assembly was persevering with when Abi Nader introduced that he would shut all borders beginning Friday.
In the meantime, Haiti’s Magic 9 radio station quoted Jean Preville Weston, the chief of a farmers’ group close to the border, as saying he wouldn’t cease engaged on the canal.
He was quoted as saying: “It is the canal or dying.” “We’re able to be buried subsequent to the canal.”
The workplace of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
Claude Joseph, former Prime Minister of Haiti and an aspiring presidential candidate, stated the excavations don’t violate any agreements or treaties between the 2 international locations, and he urged staff to proceed engaged on the mission. Joseph had beforehand clashed with Abi Nader over an unrelated subject, which prompted the Dominican president To prevent him from entering his country
There was already a line forming Thursday within the Dominican border city of Dajabon, with dozens of individuals looking for to cross into Haiti for varied causes, many carrying heavy luggage on their heads or suitcases of their fingers. The Dominican authorities opened the gate solely thrice a day, and just for crossing into Haiti.
Amongst these ready to cross was a 47-year-old Haitian man who gave his identify solely as Ignel and stated he had a job on a banana plantation within the Dominican Republic. He stated he wanted to return to Haiti to take considered one of his daughters there to the hospital, and that he was prepared to take the chance of not having the ability to return to his job.
“My objective is to handle my daughter,” he stated.
Cotto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
(tags for translation) Haiti
