Media reports that the eldest son of Haitian President Jovenel Moise and his daughter, are now in the Dominican Republic while violent protests continue in Haiti. The protestors want Moise to resign.
Reportedly, son Joverlein Moise, 27, crossed the border with Jimaní at around 9am on Saturday, 16 February 2019 with his personal security. At the border he received Dominican military protection from the Specialized Land Border Security Corps (Cesfront) as he passed through the military checkpoints in the border area. He was headed for Santo Domingo.
Listin Diario reported that a daughter of President Moise had previously flown to Santo Domingo entering by way of the La Isabela International Airport.
The press reports that after more than a week of violent clashes in most parts of Haiti, President Jovenel Moise called for a dialogue. The violence has claimed at least nine lives. In a message broadcast to the nation, Moise, who has just finished two years of his term, said that he was going to reestablish peace and stability.
At the same time the United States announced that it was withdrawing all “non-essential” personnel and warned US citizens not to travel to Haiti. A US State Department note refers to widespread demonstrations that are violent and unpredictable in Port-au-Prince and other parts of Haiti. Due to these demonstrations, on 14 February the US State Department ordered the exit of all non-essential personnel and their families.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has closed their embassy in the Haitian capital at a time when some 100 Canadian tourists from Quebec are stranded and cannot get out of the country. The Foreign Ministry said in a press communiqué: “We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days in order to guarantee the safety of our diplomats and their families.” Transat, the tour company that is responsible for the tourists from Quebec, said that it was not safe enough to transfer the nearly 100 tourists to the airport in Port Au Prince.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations reported that the Dominican Embassy in Haiti is open. Ambassador Alberto Despradel continues to monitor the situation for the Dominican government. Additional army patrols have been sent to the border.
Listín Diario reports that the Maria Montez International Airport in Barahona has been readied to receive emergency flights from Haiti at any time. Air travel distance to the airport from Port-au-Prince is around 84 miles, around 150 km by road. Border provinces fuel stations have been militarized.
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Loop Haiti
El Nacional
Listin Diario
Hoy
Listin Diario
Acento
18 February 2019
