The Dominican government should provide a robust response to Haiti’s allegations blaming the Dominican Republic for the crisis. The president of the Dominican Evangelical Unity Council (Codue), Feliciano Lacen Custodio, affirmed that these accusations are part of an international campaign pressuring the Dominican Republic to take responsibility for Haiti’s crisis.
“Firstly, we reiterate that these allegations against the Dominican Republic are nothing more than the plan by international organizations to make our country responsible for the situation of the Haitian people,” he stated.
Lacen Custodio emphasized that President Luis Abinader has repeatedly declared that the Dominican Republic cannot bear the burden of the grave crisis in the neighboring country.
The pastor argued that Haitian authorities must recognize their responsibility in finding a solution to their systemic, structural, and cyclical problems, which have plagued the Haitian people for decades. He believes that if one were to seek culpability for the disorder in Haiti, it should be directed at their political and business leaders, not the Dominican Republic.
“Similarly, I believe that the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Relations, should respond firmly, as diplomacy dictates, to these unfounded accusations backed by local organizations as well,” he said. “It seems they fail to comprehend the immense work and collaboration this country has extended to the Haitian people over the years.”
He added, “I think President Abinader has been categorical in all international forums and meetings, calling on the international community to come to Haiti’s aid, but they have not listened. Now, these same forums want to shift the blame and make our country responsible for the Haitian crisis when they have done nothing to resolve the issue.”
Last Thursday, the Haitian government expressed its concern over what it describes as “xenophobic acts” against the Haitian community in the Dominican Republic, particularly highlighting alleged mistreatment of pregnant and nursing Haitian women, according to a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nacional
La Semanal 26 May 2025
DR1 News
27 May 2025