Dominican Republic Adds Troops on Haiti Border, Stepping Up Deportations

The Dominican Republic is reinforcing its border with Haiti, with President Luis Abinader ordering two additional battalions, heavy equipment and artillery to the southern border sector on Sunday. He is due to address the border situation on Monday after the deployment, which comes amid escalating violence in neighbouring Haiti.

Key facts

• Deployed on Sunday: two extra battalions, heavy equipment and artillery for the southern border sector
• Around 11,000 troops were already stationed along the border before the latest reinforcements
• President Abinader is scheduled to speak on Monday at 3 pm local time (1900GMT) during his weekly program, La Agenda Semanal
• Migration enforcement and deportations of undocumented Haitians have been stepped up
• No new visa or entry rules for visitors were announced

What is happening at the border?

Abinader ordered the reinforcements on Sunday, according to local newspaper Hoy. The Dominican Republic already had around 11,000 troops deployed along the border with Haiti before the extra units were sent.

The government has tightened border controls in response to the crisis, including building a border wall aimed at curbing irregular migration, smuggling and other cross-border activities. Authorities have also stepped up migration enforcement and deportations of undocumented Haitians as violence in the neighbouring country has escalated, Hoy reported.

What has the president said?

Abinader said authorities were monitoring the situation in Haiti, according to the Dominican Presidency. "We are in permanent session," he said.

He said he had been in contact with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and maintained communication with the Gang Suppression Force operating in Haiti. The Dominican government has also been monitoring the kidnapping of four Salvadoran military technicians in Haiti, and Bukele announced the deployment of a team to help rescue the technicians, according to the Dominican Presidency.

Why is this happening?

Haiti has been grappling with a prolonged security crisis, with armed gangs controlling large parts of the country, including the capital, Port-au-Prince. The violence has displaced residents, disrupted essential services and complicated efforts to restore public order.

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and has repeatedly strengthened border controls amid concerns over instability and cross-border movements.

What this means for travellers

The measures described in the announcement concern military reinforcement, irregular migration, smuggling and deportations of undocumented Haitians. The Dominican government has not announced any new visa requirements, fees or entry procedures for visitors in connection with the deployment.

Travellers planning to move between the two countries should note that border controls have been tightened and that enforcement activity along the frontier has increased.

Abinader is scheduled to outline the border situation on Monday at 3 pm local time (1900GMT), accompanied by Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernandez Onofre, Foreign Minister Victor Bisono and senior military officials.