République dominicaine : Abinader says no gangs will be tolerated within 20 kilometers of Dominican border

Dominican President Luis Abinader has said his government will not accept armed groups inside a 20-kilometer strip on the Haitian side of the frontier. He made the statement on Monday, 26 October, on the program LA Agenda Semanal. According to HaitiLibre, which cites the broadcast on RTVD Channel 4, he said Dominican security begins on the Haitian side of that strip rather than at the border itself. He added that any such situation would be handled in coordination with the Haitian authorities. "We will not tolerate these gangs within 20 kilometers of the border," he said.

What the defense minister reported

Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre also spoke on the program. HaitiLibre reports that he said the gangs have stayed where they were and have not moved closer to the border.

He named two areas needing particular attention. One is National Road 8, between Jimaní and Port-au-Prince. The other is Road 305, which links Elías Piña with Belladère, Lascahobas and Mirebalais. He acknowledged that gangs control some stretches of these roads, but said nothing indicates they are present at Dominican crossings. He added that no major Haitian criminal organization has been detected near Dajabón, Pedernales or other commercial points.

Why the border is being reinforced

Diario Libre reports that the program was devoted to the Haitian crisis and border security. Abinader said the reinforcement answers the possible consequences of heavier military operations against the gangs. He tied this to the attack on the contingent from El Salvador.

Four air technicians from El Salvador have been missing since 18 October. Diario Libre says their armored vehicle was attacked in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince. President Nayib Bukele then announced a military operation to locate them.

Abinader said the case caused indignation among the countries taking part in the international mission. He said that anger could lead to stronger action against the gangs. He also said the Dominican Republic is not facing its moment of greatest risk.

Over the weekend the government announced two more battalions for the southern border, with heavy equipment and artillery. They join about 11,000 troops already deployed on border security.

What is still unknown

Abinader did not say what measures would follow if gangs settled inside the 20-kilometer perimeter. He also did not detail how the coordination with Haiti would work, according to HaitiLibre.

On the missing men, he said the Haitian authorities themselves do not know their status. He declined to speculate on whether they are alive. Diario Libre adds that the multinational force received human remains that might correspond to them but could not confirm their identity. Bukele rejected the idea that the remains belong to the four.