Luis Abinader, the president of the Dominican Republic, made a statement on Monday regarding the country’s preparedness for any potential instability in neighboring Haiti. This comes in the midst of calls by former Haitian rebel leader Guy Philippe for a revolution to force Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power.
Abinader assured that the Dominican Republic is closely monitoring the situation in Haiti and is prepared to handle any instability that may arise. He also mentioned that Dominican authorities meet weekly to study the ongoing situation in Haiti.
With less than two days left until February 7, the traditional date for the inauguration of presidents in Haiti, the country remains without a head of state following the assassination of Jovenel Moise in 2021. The ongoing crisis in Haiti has led to protests and calls for Henry to step down, amidst a backdrop of widespread violence and gang control in Port-au-Prince and other areas.
Beyond the current crisis in Haiti, Abinader also addressed the ongoing dispute between the Dominican Republic and Haiti over the construction of a canal by Haiti on the bordering Masacre River (Dajabón for Dominicans). Despite efforts to resolve the matter through meetings between Dominican and Haitian authorities, Abinader stated that “nothing has been achieved.”
As a result of the dispute, the Dominican Republic took measures including the reactivation of the La Vigía canal, located on the Dominican side of the Masacre-Dajabón river. Abinader emphasized that the canal is ready and its main objective is to ensure an adequate water supply for downstream farmers.
The situation in Haiti and the ongoing dispute over the construction of the canal continues to be a point of concern for the Dominican Republic, and Abinader’s comments underscore the country’s vigilance and readiness to address potential challenges emanating from its neighbor.