Dominican Army commander Major General Jose Eugenio Matos de la Cruz says that in the first 70 days of Operation Shield, which has been implemented along the border since January, security forces have stopped more than 40,000 Haitian nationals who have tried to cross the border illegally.
Matos de la Cruz, who was speaking to reporters yesterday, Wednesday 11 March 2015 before the inauguration of a National District Fire Department training ground for rescues from collapsed structures said that more security officers have been added to strengthen Operation Shield, which is being led by the Specialized Border Security Corps (Cesfront). Matos de la Cruz said that the Cesfront is posted at all the country’s legal crossing points. “For all the rest, which is 90% of the border, the National Army has set aside patrols that have yielded excellent results compared to previous years. We are detaining people who are trying to enter illegally, which is up by more than 80% compared to previous years.”
The Major General said that there are now three brigades along the border with 1000 agents each and that they recently ordered an increase in the number of troops, with the aim of having “the men that we need.” He announced that “the Ministry of the Armed Forces began a personal supervision process yesterday afternoon and today in order to verify the areas and how to strengthen the brigades with the necessary men.”