Dominican Republic evaluates making border closure with Haiti more flexible | News

Despite the decision to close the border with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is evaluating making the closure more flexible as a measure to divert an "important part" of the flow of the Masacre River, a border point between both countries, to distribute its territory on the island of Hispaniola.

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The announcement of flexibility was made by the Dominican president, Luis Abinader, who said in a press conference that there is a probability of making said border closure more flexible.

For Abinader, the relationship between both nations "will not be the same again," after the Haitian side will begin the construction of a canal on the Masacre River.

“From now on the border will never be the same; based on these events and situations that will arise in Haiti in the future,” Abinader said when reviewing the situation between both countries.

However, the president said that his government began the rehabilitation of the La Vigía irrigation canal in Dajabón, northwest of the Dominican Republic, so it will be difficult for Haitians to drink water; In that sense, he assured that there will be flexibility to give them the opportunity to supply themselves in case they run out of water on the Haitian side.

“If we can save and divert the flow of the Dajabón River they (Haitians) will be left with very little water, it will be difficult for them to drink water; There we will see what measures we can take to make (the closure of the border) more flexible but, I repeat, the border will not be the same,” Abinader stated again.

However, from Santo Domingo they claim to be open to dialogue with Haiti but only on the condition that the construction of the canal is stopped on Haitian soil to enforce the Treaty of Peace and Perpetual Friendship signed between both nations in 1929.

The president has reiterated on multiple occasions that the canal being built on the Haitian side violates the provisions of that treaty.

It is necessary to remember that the border of the Dominican Republic with Haiti has remained closed since last September 15 in protest of the work.

Despite the decision of the Dominican Executive, from the Haitian side the works have not been paralyzed even though the current government of Haiti has supposedly not authorized them.