Haiti - Society : Border trafficking, an endemic situation
Dr. Santiago Caba, former Consul of Haiti in Dominican Republic, said that the situation at the border; trafficking, firearms, drugs and food, among others, is endemic and it is not a new issue nor a concern of deputies. "It's an evil we all know long time but [politicians] prefer silence. The authorities must set priorities on the borders to preserve the integrity of the Dominican Republic. We must develop policies that aim to develop and protect our sovereignty."
According to former diplomat, Congress is primarily responsible for the weakness at the borders. If Dajabon and other border provinces are left to their own [or almost], it's because the authorities do not bother to comply with the law 28-01 of frontier development. Stating that if this law was implemented, it would be possible to encourage companies based in the border areas and promote job creation and improve living conditions of people in these areas.
"To talk about lack of border control, and take appropriate decisions, you must first know your environment, the Dominican-Haitian relations and social problems, including: poverty, lack of jobs and opportunities in the people," said the former consul.
He deplores that in front of this absence of political will, people violate the law in search of alternatives to survive, thus promoting the development of multiple traffic and and illegal acts at the borders.
