Dominican Republic/Haiti: President orders additional troops along Haitian border

Event

President Danilo Medina announced increased border security measures throughout the country on Tuesday, February 27. Medina said that 900 additional troops, along with 90 vehicles and three helicopters, will be deployed immediately to improve security along the national borders, particularly at the frontier with Haiti. New surveillance cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will also be used as part of the new measures.

Context

The new measures are intended to reduce illegal immigration and smuggling, particularly from Haiti. Some civil society groups have called on the government to increase border security and implement greater migration controls. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share a 391 km (243 mi) border that is largely guarded by Dominican soldiers.

Advice

Individuals traveling to Dominican-Haitian border regions are advised to remain vigilant and to research road and border conditions prior to departure. If crossing the border, be aware there are only four crossings and long wait times are common. Furthermore, land access to the neighboring country is often hindered by roadblocks and border closings as tensions between the two countries run high.