During the Monday, 9 October 2023 press conference, President Luis Abinader explained the semi-opening of the border with Haiti as of Wednesday, 11 October 2023. The flexibilizing of the shut down will enable trade, facilitating free trade zone operations that source inputs from the Dominican Republic to continue in business. Limitations are in place for security purposes.
The relaxation of the border controls includes the opening of the Dajabón binational market on Friday, 13 October. Nevertheless, as of Wednesday, 11 October, all who enter will be subject to biometric registration. The government will now know who entered and who left. In the past, the gates were opened three times a week for all Haitians to enter and participate in the market days, yet there was no control over who left.
The government says that the stop to legal migration permits and visas is maintained indefinitely.
President Luis Abinader during La Semanal con la Prensa press conference clarified that now there will be limitations and migration controls and the binational market will not be the same market as before. Those entering will have to register with a biometric token and the market area is now fenced in with the day visitors limited to this zone.
He added that the sale of essential foods and medicines will be allowed in the commercial corridors that are being set up.
The National Security Council established that starting Wednesday, 11 October 2023, as of 8am, a biometric registration will be applied. A fund will be created to mechanize agricultural work in the country. Likewise, military border reinforcement was ordered to make access more difficult for gang members fleeing the multinational force.
The measures are taken at a time when it is uncertain when and if a UN multinational task force will undertake peace efforts in Haiti. A court in Kenya temporarily disallowed sending Kenyan troops to Haiti.
Read more in Spanish:
El Dia
El Nuevo Diario
The Guardian
10 October 2023