Dominican Republic to Close Border with Haiti Amid Canal Dispute
The Dominican Republic will close all of its land, air, and sea frontiers with Haiti starting Friday morning, President Luis Abinader announced, escalating tensions between the two nations. The closure comes in response to a dispute over plans by Haiti to construct a canal off a river that separates the two countries. Dominican officials argue that the canal would violate a 1929 treaty governing fair use of waterways along the shared border. They also allege that the construction has been promoted by business executives and politicians who do not have the backing of the Haitian government.
The closure of Haiti’s only land border with the Dominican Republic threatens to worsen the crisis in a country already on the brink of collapse. Human Rights Watch has criticized the move, with Ida Sawyer, crisis and conflict director at the organization, stating that it would lock Haitians within their country at a time of extreme violence and humanitarian need. The closure will further restrict access to healthcare, clean water, and food for many Haitians.
Officials from both countries had been meeting to find a solution to the canal dispute before the Dominican Republic’s unilateral decision. Haiti’s Ministry of Culture and Communication issued a statement, noting that the government will take all measures to protect the interests of the Haitian people. Critics of the closure argue that nationalist politicians in the Dominican Republic are capitalizing on anti-Haitian sentiment to gain support ahead of next year’s elections.
This is not the first time the two countries have clashed over the canal. Work on the canal had previously ceased after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. However, local farmers resumed construction this year. The closure of the border is seen as an aggressive and hostile act towards Haiti and will have significant economic implications. The closure will further strain Haiti’s already strained resources and plunge the country into a deeper crisis.
The United Nations refugee agency has condemned the treatment of pregnant and postpartum Haitian women in the Dominican Republic, noting that they face intimidation, detention, and deportation when seeking medical care. The closure of the border will exacerbate the difficulties faced by vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and unaccompanied minors seeking refuge.
The Massacre River, where the proposed canal is set to be constructed, is a symbol of the thorny history between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It was the site of the 1937 massacre of thousands of Haitians ordered by then-Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. The river has been a point of contention between the two nations in the past.
The border closure not only deepens the tensions between the Dominican Republic and Haiti but also highlights the dire situation faced by Haitians. With economic collapse, extreme violence, and limited access to essential services, many Haitians have sought refuge in the Dominican Republic. The closure of the border will close off this escape route and further isolate the already vulnerable population.