The Dominican Republic has taken the extraordinary step of closing all its land, air, and sea borders with Haiti amidst an escalating dispute over the construction of a canal on Haitian soil, which taps into a shared river. This closure has led to significant disruptions, with armed Dominican soldiers patrolling entry points and military aircraft flying overhead.
The shutdown of borders has resulted in the cancellation of flights and a subdued atmosphere in border towns that are typically bustling with vendors and Haitians who cross daily to work in the Dominican Republic. On the Haitian side, crowds of people gathered under the shade of trees, observing the unfolding situation. Nearby, a white flag could be seen fluttering beneath a Haitian flag, symbolizing a desire for peace.
The duration of this unusual border closure remains uncertain. Dominican President Luis Abinader has stated that the measure will remain in place “as long as necessary.” The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement asserting that the canal project violates a 1929 treaty and insisted that it “must be halted immediately before pursuing any other dialogue.” The closure of borders underscores the deepening tensions between the two neighboring countries and the complexity of their shared history and challenges.
The diplomatic crisis between the Dominican Republic and Haiti began when Haitian workers resumed construction of a canal near the Massacre River earlier this month. The canal project was initiated to alleviate a drought that affected Haiti’s Maribaroux plain. The Massacre River holds historical significance, named after a bloody clash between Spanish and French colonizers in the 18th century. It was also the site of a mass killing of Haitians by the Dominican army in 1937.
Dominican President Abinader expressed concerns that the canal would divert water, negatively impacting Dominican farmers and the environment. In contrast, Haiti’s government asserted its sovereign right to decide how to use its natural resources, arguing that the canal construction is within its authority.
The closure of borders will have substantial economic repercussions for both countries, with Haiti expected to be more severely affected. Haiti is the Dominican Republic’s third-largest trading partner, with $1 billion in exports to Haiti and $11 million in imports last year. Additionally, informal border trade between the two countries amounted to $430 million in 2017, with the majority consisting of exports to Haiti.
Officials from both nations held discussions on the issue, but President Abinader’s decision to close all borders was deemed unilateral by the Haitian government. Experts view this move as an overreaction and suggest that Abinader may be using it to project a strong nationalist image in the lead-up to his re-election campaign. It’s important to note that Abinader recently halted the issuance of visas to Haitians, closed the border near the town of Dajabon, and imposed restrictions on Haitian migration.
The Dominican Republic has also initiated the construction of a 118-mile (190-kilometer) wall along the Haitian border as part of its efforts to control migration. These actions have led to concerns about increasing illegal border crossings, human trafficking, and contraband activities. Despite the current tensions, many recognize that the destinies of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are closely intertwined due to their shared history and their coexistence on the island of Hispaniola.