On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the humanitarian and security crisis in the neighboring country raised concerns for the Dominican government, which decided to intensify border patrols.

The Dominican Army deployed 800 additional soldiers along the border, in the provinces of Dajabón, Elías Piña, Independencia, and Pedernales. These troops join the 300 reinforcements already deployed on May 2nd. They will be assigned to infantry battalions and will work in collaboration with other security agencies to intensify border security operations.

These border reinforcements respond to the increased threats related to illegal trafficking, irregular immigration, and the risk of infiltration by armed groups from Haiti. More generally, they respond to the growing tension in the border area, in an increasingly complex regional context.

These new troops are part of the Dominican Army's efforts to ensure security on the border with Haiti, a priority for the authorities given the institutional and social deterioration in the neighboring country. The authorities emphasize that this measure does not pose a threat to the Haitian people, but rather a preventive response to the growing risks arising from the situation in Haiti.

The Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Major General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez, emphasized the need for well-trained, well-equipped, and motivated troops to meet border security challenges. They also affirmed that the military presence would be maintained as long as conditions warrant.

The Dominican authorities emphasized that this measure does not pose a threat to the Haitian people, but rather a preventive response to the growing risks arising from the institutional collapse in Haiti.

There are no precise figures on the number of troops deployed along the border, however, a conservative estimate puts the Dominican Republic at between 13,000 and 15,000 troops along the border with Haiti.

SL/ HaitiLibre