Following the kidnapping of cardiologist Pedro Ureña and six other Dominicans traveling together on a motorcycle excursion at the border by a group of at least 100 Haitians, Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem has reported on his investigations to date.
He said that there had been an operation carried out by the Army, during which two motorcycles belonging to Haitians were confiscated as they did not have documentation, and the Haitians had decided to pressure Dominican authorities to return the bikes. To do this, they blocked the Carretera Internacional with trees and set fire to tires. He said that Pedro Ureña and the other Dominicans were kidnapped when travelling along the road where the protestors took violent measures to pressure Dominican authorities.
The situation has heightened the sense of insecurity in the area, and brought into the open the lack of control Dominican soldiers have in the area. The Ministry of Defense has also ordered an investigation into the actions of the army personnel, who despite being armed with firearms did nothing to interfere or defend Ureña and the other Dominicans affected by the mob of Haitians that assaulted Dominicans traveling on the road.
The Carretera Internacional runs for 55 kilometers from Pedro Santana to Restauracion. Along the way, there are several Dominican army posts.
In addition, in Dajabon province, Dominicans have complained that these sorts of attack are frequent, especially among those who either own businesses or supply merchants in the area.
Senator Adriano Sánchez Roa told El Nacional that Haitians have essentially taken control of large areas on the Dominican side of the border, such as in Tirolí in Elías Piña province. He said Dominicans traveling in this area are subject to assaults by the mobs that plague this area. “On several occasions I have seen armed civilians in places all through the area,” said the senator of Elías Piña.
He said that the situation experienced by Dr. Pedro Ureña and his friend when traveling on motorcycle on the Carretera Internacional on Saturday, 10 November 2018, occurs frequently. He said the case was known because it happened to Dr. Ureña and he went public with what had happened. But Sanchez Roa said these assaults happen constantly, because the Haitians are in control. He called for the military posts to be reinforced with more military and communication. He said in those areas Haitian telecom frequencies prevail because of the lack of action on behalf of the Dominican authorities. He said works need to be carried out to improve the Carretera Internacional. He said it takes around one hour to cover 20 kilometers. He called for better working conditions for the military in Tirolí, Uayajayuco, Los Cacaos.
Yesterday, journalist Santa Marte of the Listin Diario told her story of being kidnapped five months ago when traveling in Montecristi by a mob of Haitians. She said she was attacked with stones, sticks and machetes whoever tried to get through and Dominicans had to take refuge in the military post until the situation calmed down. She said Dominican authorities need to respond adequately and avoid the Haitian penetration of border areas. She said now 85% of the inhabitants in these areas are Haitians.
The Dominican border with Haiti is an area of 300 kms passing by the border province of Montecristi, Dajabon, Elías Piña and Pedernales. Haitians mostly cross over the areas between Elías Piña and Pedernales where they are evicting Dominicans from areas near the rivers. Likewise, there are complaints that using violence, the Haitians have evicted Dominican fishermen from national, coastal waters.
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Diario Libre
El Nacional
14 November 2018
