Truckers arriving in Dajabon en route to Haiti yesterday Thursday, 16 April 2015 decided not to cross the border after rebel groups there resumed protests against President Michel Martelly’s government. Reports were received of unrest in Ouanaminthe, Gilea and Fort Liberte.
Geovanny Escoto, general secretary of the Fenatrado truckers union, said that 20-30 trucks laden with merchandise were stopped at the border because it was considered too risky to enter Haiti. Truckers coming from Ouanaminthe on their way to Puerto Plata were not able to cross either.
As reported, members of the Minustah peacekeeping force had to call in extra troops to contain the unruly protestors. Tear gas and bullets were fired into the air to disperse the protests that included burning tires, blocking the streets with obstacles and attacking the vehicles entering with merchandise and the drivers. Last week, similar protests resulted in the death of one Minustah officer and injured a Haitian policeman.
Diario Libre reports that the market day in Dajabon on Friday, 17 April could be suspended because of the instability in Haiti.
Minister of Foreign Relations Andres Navarro has requested a meeting in Santo Domingo with Minustah director Sandra Honore to request additional Minustah support on the route used by Dominican truckers to deliver goods to Haiti.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2015/04/17/i1103881_camioneros-deciden-penetrar-hait-por-los.html