{"id":232084,"date":"2025-03-03T07:43:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T11:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dr1.com\/news\/?p=232084"},"modified":"2025-03-03T09:41:11","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:41:11","slug":"president-abinader-on-where-dr-stands-with-haiti-the-high-burden-of-military-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dr1.com\/news\/2025\/03\/03\/president-abinader-on-where-dr-stands-with-haiti-the-high-burden-of-military-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"President Abinader on where DR stands with Haiti, the high burden of military costs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Dominican Republic in recent years has invested RD$6 billion to reinforce security given the threat of the violence in Haiti, Diario Libre reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Luis Abinader explained in his 27 of February address to the nation several of the actions taken to bolster security given the continued critical situation in neighboring Haiti. The situation is coming at a high cost to the country that has had to invest in military expenditures in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Abinader spoke of the active diplomacy efforts in response to the crisis in Haiti and Dominican support to international efforts to back a Kenyan-led Haitian Security Support Mission. \u201cUnfortunately, this mission has not been able to deploy the necessary number of personnel for peacekeeping due to a lack of required support. Regrettably, the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with criminal gangs advancing in their control of territory throughout Port-au-Prince and parts of the southern region of the country, committing acts of barbarism to the point where over 5,000 people were killed just last year,\u201d highlighted the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President mentioned the recently-signed Decree 104-25 that gives terrorist level to gang members entering the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Abinader detailed:
\u201cIn light of the international community’s lack of interest and incapacity to address this tragedy, and after analyzing the situation and holding meetings with the national security agencies of the Dominican Republic, yesterday I signed a decree (Decree 104-25) designating Haitian criminal gangs as terrorist organizations. Any person belonging to one of these gangs who enters Dominican territory will be pursued, arrested, and judged under our country’s anti-terrorism laws. Our security forces are on alert to act with full severity in these cases. There will be no tolerance or consideration for those who threaten the security and peace of the Dominican people.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated:
\u201cLadies and gentlemen, our nation has grown and prospered thanks to the peace and stability we have maintained within our borders. However, we live in uncertain times, where this stability is threatened by both internal and external factors that challenge our security. It is our duty to ensure that our Armed Forces have the resources, technology, and training necessary to confront any threat. A modern and well-equipped military is an essential component of our national defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe modernization of our Armed Forces should not be seen as an expense, but as an investment in our sovereignty and the security of future generations. For this reason, our government is committed to training our soldiers, acquiring cutting-edge technology, and strengthening our cooperation with friendly nations in matters of security and defense. We have allocated RD$1.94 billion for the construction of the border wall with Haiti, with 90% of the planned section completed by 2024,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President spoke of the importance of the fence erected on sections of the border with Haiti where before there were no barriers before. He mentioned the fence extensions built and that several of the sections are fully powered by solar energy. The extensions are:
Pedernales, 8 km
Elias Pi\u00f1a, 2.9 km
Jiman\u00ed, 8 km
Dajabon 24.7 km<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President stressed the importance of the fence. He said: \u201cIn this area of Dajab\u00f3n, livestock theft was common, but that is now a thing of the past. We have the farmers of Dajab\u00f3n here today, who have requested the continuation of the border wall to the south of the province. I am pleased to announce that, responding to their request and to further strengthen security in that area, I have instructed the Ministry of Defense to continue the construction of the wall for another 11 kilometers, reaching the municipality of Capotillo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reviewed actions by the security forces mentioning that the Army has carried out more than 148,000 patrols across the border area and increased its support to the Migration Agency and the National Environmental Protection Service. To improve the mobility and operational response of the army, he said last year 60 new vehicles, worth RD$189 million, including motorcycles, trucks, and SUVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He mentioned the Navy has carried out nearly 2,000 naval operations and more than 10,000 land operations, ensuring the safety of coasts, ports, and territorial waters. The Air Force has conducted 122 aerial patrols and acquired four AW-169 Augusta helicopters and seven T-35C Pill\u00e1n aircraft to strengthen defense and training. The Specialized Border Security Corps (Cesfront) carried out more than 31,000 patrols in border provinces, contributing to the reduction of irregular migration and the fight against illicit activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In support of the National Police, he said the Armed Forces carried out over 15,000 internal security operations in various provinces, leading to the identification and registration of more than 2.3 million people, the seizure of weapons, and the control of undocumented individuals, with an investment of RD$78 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding migration control, he spoke about the Armed Forces, in support of the Migration Agency, having carried out 3,316 interdiction operations. As a result of these operations, more than 270,000 foreigners, the vast majority of whom were Haitian nationals, were deported and repatriated according to our internal regulations, while fully respecting the human rights of all individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We know that a strong country in the global arena is one that can defend its interests while staying true to its essence. That is why we are investing in a solid military industry that now assembles aircraft under our national brand, the Dulus, which you will proudly see in today’s military parade. He mentioned the Armed Forces are also assembling ambulances that he said will be integrated into the Dominican Republic’s health system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He highlighted the investment in local armaments and equipment for the Armed Forces. “I also announce that we are preparing for the assembly of armored vehicles, and by the end of April this year, we will inaugurate a modern assembly plant for military vehicles located in San Crist\u00f3bal, at the former Armory. This military industry has increased its uniform production capacity by 20% in 2024, and for 2025, it is projected to grow by 326%, which will mean savings of over 25% on costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Last year, we inaugurated four major military facilities, including the expansion of the Tenth Infantry Battalion in Dajab\u00f3n, where we strengthened this area of the northern border with more than 400 personnel, the new Seventh Infantry Brigade in San Francisco de Macor\u00eds, with accommodation for 700 personnel, increasing security in the entire northeastern region of the country, and the First Military Police Battalion for 500 personnel, to support the National Police in urban security throughout the greater Santo Domingo. We also inaugurated the Sierra Prieta Tactical Training Center, a model facility for military training in Latin America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Last year, we improved the healthcare system for our Armed Forces, upgrading the SeNaSa health insurance from the basic to the highest category for all our active and retired military personnel, benefiting about 82,000 members, with coverage of up to 100% for most medical procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We must be a nation that dialogues, fosters development and cooperation, but one that is also prepared to defend itself against any threat. Our foreign policy and defense policy must go hand in hand, ensuring that the Dominican Republic remains a beacon of stability, progress, and pride for all of us,” he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister of Defense, Lt. General Carlos Fernandez Onofre recently announced the completion of the wall in Pedernales province, delays caused by rains in Jimani, and a 99% completion of the wall in Dajabon province. In April, the second phase will begin, some 11 kilometers that will join Dajabon and Capotillo. According to the minister, the commercial operations at the major bi-national markets have not been affected by the construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The border with Haiti is 391 kilometers long, with the major crossing points are few: Pedernales, Jimani, Elias Pi\u00f1a and Dajabon. It is at these \u201cchoke\u201c points that the government of the Dominican Republic is expanding its efforts to slow cross-border contraband and immigration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more in Spanish:
Presidency <\/a>
El Dia <\/a>
Listin Diario <\/a>
Diario Libre <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 March 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Dominican Republic in recent years has invested RD$6 billion to reinforce security given the threat of the violence in Haiti, Diario Libre reports. President Luis Abinader explained in his 27 of February address to the nation several of the actions taken to bolster security given the continued critical situation in neighboring Haiti. The situation … <\/p>\n

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