The twice-weekly bi-national markets held in main cities on the Dominican-Haitian border were apparently held last Friday, at least in Dajabon. According to media reports, this commercial activity, the economic lifeline for the entire region, with millions of pesos changing hands each week, was held. Reports from Dajabón indicate that hundreds of Haitians started to arrive at the border gates from the very early morning hours. They gathered on the bridgehead as well as along the riverbanks of the Masacre River.
Meanwhile, the border of Dajabón and Ouanaminthe remains open and without incident.
Dozens of vehicles, vans, pick-up trucks and motors, cross the border crossing without any problem to go about their daily activities.
In addition to the vehicular crossing, the gate over the border crossing of both countries also remains open.
The Dominican high command has stationed thousands of troops along the border. According to statements from truckers and businessmen in the area, the normal passage of large trucks is down 95%.
Nevertheless, in the last few days, the fuel shortage in neighboring Haiti has generated strong fuel smuggling. The security situation in Haiti has not allowed the authorities of the Specialized Fuel Control Corps (CECCOM) to control the situation. According to a separate report, a fire allegedly broke out when several Haitians and Dominicans stored and packaged several gallons of fuel in one of the affected places.
EFE reports on the worsening of the fuel shortage situation in Haiti. Banks are now only open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 2pm. EFE reports on road and street blockades set up by gangs that are controlling key areas in Port-au-Prince.
The general director of the Specialized Corps for Land Border Security (Cesfront), Brigadier General Frank Mauricio Cabrera Rizek, assured that the border is developing normally, controlled within the highest security standards to guarantee the commercial exchange between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He indicated that due to the lack of access to fuel that the majority of the Haitian nationals are suffering, the Dominican state has decided for humanitarian reasons to allow the entry of the same so that they can be supplied with fuel.
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Listin Diario
Listin Diario
8 November 2021