The president of the Dominican Republic is defending his determination to shut air, sea and land site visitors with neighboring Haiti in a dispute over development of a canal focusing on a river that runs by means of each international locations
ByMARTÍN ADAMES ALCÁNTARA Related Press
September 17, 2023, 7:59 PM
Dominican Republic safety forces stand guard on a border bridge between Dajabón, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The president of the Dominican Republic introduced Thursday that he would shut all borders with neighboring Haiti beginning Friday in response to the development of a supposed canal on Haitian soil that targets waters from the Bloodbath River, which runs alongside the border shared by each international locations. (AP Photograph/Ricardo Hernández)
The Related Press
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The president of the Dominican Republic on Sunday defended his determination to shut air, sea and land site visitors with neighboring Haiti of their dispute over development of a canal focusing on a river that runs by means of each international locations.
President Luis Abinader stated in a televised speech that the border closures begun Friday will stay in place till development is halted on the canal, which seeks to make use of water from the Bloodbath River to alleviate a drought in Haiti’s Maribaroux plain.
“We don’t want or search confrontation, however we’re confronting the uncontrollable individuals who preserve Haiti insecure, and who, as a consequence of their non-public pursuits, now additionally conspire in opposition to the soundness of their authorities and the safety of our water assets,” Abinader stated throughout his transient speech, referring to gang violence that has engulfed Haiti.
Accusing Haiti of violating a 1929 treaty between each international locations, he stated that the Bloodbath River is a key useful resource for Dominican farmers and that development might injury the atmosphere, together with a wetland.
“The precedent of an irrigation venture constructed unilaterally can result in an escalation of constructions that will destroy the river,” Abinader stated.
The river is called after a bloody battle between French and Spanish colonizers, and it was the location of a mass killing of Haitians by the Dominican military in 1937.
The total border shutdowns got here 4 days after Abinader introduced that his administration had stopped issuing visas to Haitians and had closed the border close to the northern city of Dajabon.
He stated it was essential to lift consciousness within the worldwide neighborhood so it involves Haiti’s support.
“There is no such thing as a Dominican resolution to Haiti’s downside,” Arbinader stated. “We can’t be requested for greater than what we already do.”
A spokesperson for the workplace of Haiti’s prime minister declined remark Sunday and referred to a Friday assertion condemning Abinader’s determination to shutter all borders whereas either side have been assembly to discover a resolution. Haiti’s authorities has stated it helps the canal venture.
Haiti additionally has requested assist to assist quell a surge in gang violence, with the U.S. saying it might submit a U.N. Safety Council decision that will authorize Kenya’s provide to guide a multinational police power.
A decision has but to be submitted, and no timetable has been supplied.