There is concern that Decree 104-25 announced by President Luis Abinader during his speech on 27 February 2025 has clauses that could mean that Haitian gang members arrested in Dominican territory will be kept in Dominican jails and subject to justice here. To date, the practice has been to return to Haiti without trial or local judgment any Haitian tagged as a gang member arrested in Dominican territory. In many cases, it is known that these men have been killed upon return to Haiti.
As of 2 March 2025, the Presidency website had not uploaded Decree 104-25 for the general public.
But now President Abinader has ordered the activating of the National Anti-Terrorist Council and the National Anti-Terrorist Agency, reportedly as a response to the deteriorating situation in Haiti and the increase of dominance by those groups in Haiti, especially in Port au Prince and the southern areas of Haiti.
As reported, the new Decree 104-25 describes as terrorist groups the Haitian gangs: Delmas 6, 5 Segond, Kraze Barye, 400 Mawozo, Grand Ravine, Taliban/Canaan, Baz Gran Grif/Gang Savien, Kokorat San Ras, Haut Belair/Argentins and Belekou. Also Ti Bois, Krache Dife, Chabon, Wharf Jérémie, Gang de PieiTC VI, Simón Pelé, Nan Boston, Baz Pilate, Chyen Mechan, Fort Dimanche, Gang de Tokyo, Chancerelles, Carrefour Drouillard, Terre Noire, Brooklyn and Mariani.
President Abinader says that any member of those groups that attempts to enter Dominican territory will be persecuted, captured and judged under local anti-terrorist laws. “There will not be tolerance or consideration for those who attempt against the security and peace of the Dominican people,” stated the President.
The decree instructs local intelligence and security entities to take preventive measures to avoid the entry of these gang members.
Criminal lawyer Felix Portes said the decree violates the Dominican Constitution, as reported in Noticias SIN.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
7 Dias
Noticias SIN
Diario Libre
3 March 2025