Dominican President Luis Abinader warned at the U.N. General Assembly of potential “drastic measures” to protect his country if a U.N.-backed mission in Haiti fails to address rampant gang violence. With gangs controlling 80% of Port-au-Prince, the crisis has led to widespread displacement and increased pressure on the Dominican Republic. Abinader emphasized the need for the mission to establish security conditions for free elections and urged international support for Haiti’s recovery.
During a recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, Dominican President Luis Abinader expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating violence in Haiti, controlled predominantly by gangs. He warned that his administration would consider implementing “drastic measures” to defend the Dominican Republic should the U.N.-backed mission in Haiti, led initially by Kenyan police, fail to stabilize the situation. Currently, gangs are reportedly in control of approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that has displaced nearly 700,000 Haitians and instigated mass migration to the Dominican Republic. In his address, President Abinader highlighted the pressing need for the current mission, which has not yet reached its promised strength of 2,500 personnel, to establish adequate security conditions for upcoming elections in Haiti. He noted the lack of elections since 2016 and underscored that the transition to democratic governance could be jeopardized if the situation deteriorates further. The Dominican leader recounted recent gang attacks that have targeted critical infrastructure, including police stations and the main international airport, which resulted in closures and widespread unrest. He emphasized the resulting instability in Haiti has significant repercussions for the Dominican Republic, adding that the nation has borne an excessive burden managing the consequences of this crisis. Abinader mentioned the Dominican Republic’s metrics reflecting improvements in poverty rates and crime statistics, affirming his government’s commitment to human rights amidst criticisms regarding treatment of Haitian migrants. He also elaborated on the significant contributions of Haitians to the Dominican social fabric, through education and healthcare access. In conclusion, Abinader reiterated the necessity of robust international support for Haiti to ensure stability and recovery, stressing, “We cannot allow the effort made to date to fail. If that were to happen, Haiti’s collapse would be imminent.” However, the future remains uncertain, with the Haitian transitional council president expected to address the U.N. General Assembly soon.
The security situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly in recent years, particularly following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Gangs have steadily increased their hold over vast areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the ongoing violence has led to widespread displacement, further straining the social and economic conditions in Haiti. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has been acutely affected by this crisis, facing an influx of migrants and a corresponding pressure on its resources and security apparatus. The U.N. has intervened with a mission aimed at controlling gang violence, yet the response has been criticized for its inadequate manpower. The Dominican President’s remarks reflect both a call for urgency in addressing the Haitian crisis and a warning about potential consequences should the current mission fail.
In summary, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic has issued a stark warning regarding the potential need for his government to adopt drastic measures in the event that the U.N.-supported mission in Haiti fails to curb rampant gang violence. As Haiti grapples with an overwhelming security crisis, the impact on the Dominican Republic is increasingly pressing, necessitating effective international cooperation to ensure stability and security in the region.
Original Source: apnews.com
