Concerned there could be an increase in migratory pressures at the border with Haiti, the Army announced it was stepping up border patrols. Army commander Major General Estanislao Gonell Regalado said a special force patrol was sent to the key points of the border in the provinces of Pedernales, Independencia (Jimaní), Elías Piña and Dajabón. “Due to the situation in the neighboring Republic of Haiti, the commander-in-chief of the Army ordered the sending of special units of the military institution to the border line,” he said.
The troops were sent following instructions by Defense Minister Major General Rubén Darío Paulino Sem. They will join the different infantry brigades and the Border Task Force.
During four days of protests against the government of Haiti, at least five people have been killed. Hundreds of people in Haiti are demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, in demonstrations where violence has escalated. Protesters have blocked roads, burned vehicles, attacked businesses and the presidential house. As reported, the protests have taken place in Gonaives, Cap Haitien, Los Cayos, Jacmel, as well as in Port-au-Prince, in the areas of Delmas, Pétion-Ville, Carrefour and the center of the city. In Haiti, the mayors of several cities were forced to cancel the carnival festivities to be held in early March, due to violent protests.
On Monday, 11 February 2019, President Jovenel Moise suspended his trip to Italy due to acts of violence. He would have met in Italy with President Danilo Medina who is attending the 42nd International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governors Council on 14-15 February 2019 in Rome.
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El Nacional
13 February 2019
