Dominican Republic: border on alert over Haiti crisis

Border: tighter oversight of wall construction with Haiti

The Dominican Minister of Defense, Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, inspected progress on the northern section of the border barrier on March 31, 2026, from Manzanillo to newly built segments.

The visit focused on assessing construction pace, infrastructure quality and the condition of completed sections. Strategic sites include bridges over the Masacre River and La Vigía, both key to troop mobility and operational control, currently nearing completion.

Accompanied by engineers and presidential representatives, the minister stressed the project’s importance in strengthening security, curbing illicit activities and regulating migration flows.

The initiative incorporates advanced surveillance systems, including sensors and thermal cameras, to enhance territorial monitoring.

Security: heightened alert as multinational force deploys in Haiti

At the same time, the Multinational Security Support Mission officially began operations in Haiti on April 1, 2026, with 5,500 troops deployed under a UN mandate.

Led by Kenya and supported by Jamaica, the Bahamas and El Salvador, the force aims to dismantle armed gangs, particularly in Port-au-Prince.

In response, the Dominican Republic has reinforced its presence along the 391-kilometer border, deploying thousands of troops, around 300 military vehicles and additional units from CESFRONT.

Authorities fear a potential surge in civilians fleeing violence, as well as the risk of criminal infiltration.

The use of drones and heavy weapons in densely populated areas also raises concerns over possible humanitarian consequences.

According to several analysts, the mission’s success will depend not only on security operations but also on the implementation of a credible political process in Haiti, including elections expected before the end of 2026.

Soraya Ades.