Hoy newspaper carries statements made by Jesuit Priest Regino Martinez, of border city Dajabon, who said that it is the Dominican army that gains most from the Haitian crisis because of the extortion that goes on. Father Martinez explained that in Dajabon there is a “parallel customs” system whereby Dominican military charge tolls to the illegal Haitians desperate to cross over. “The only ones controlling the frontier are the military and anything that crosses the river is due to a pay-off to the military,” said the priest on the morning talk show, “El Gobierno de la Manana”. When asked for proof, Martinez said that one has only to witness what goes on at 5 am at various points along the Artibonite River. He said for years they have denounced the unsavory activity to the head of the military, but nothing has been resolved. “This is a permanent racket they have there.” The ones who benefit most are the military, he said, adding that “it is not done without the support of the chiefs.” He said the Haitians could perhaps get past one post, but to enter the DR several border checkpoints must be passed, which makes it impossible to cross without an order from the superiors. He explained that the Haitians cross the frontier “only when the military allow them to do so, because when the army chief or anyone from the American Embassy goes to the area, not a single Haitian is seen in Dajabon. They don’t allow even a black mosquito past.”
This situation with the military was satirized recently in film “Perico Ripiao”.
Army Minister Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez has justified the RD$4 billion budget of the military last year with the argument the money is needed to patrol the border.