Haitians confront Dominican soldier at the border

(8 Nov 2023)
RESTRUCTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ouanaminthe, Haiti - 8 November 2023
1. Various of Dominican Republic's armed military limiting the passage of Haitians
2. SOUNDBITE (Haitian Creole) Resident of the border, name not given:
"The construction of the canal is not going to stop. For them to come here (Dominican military) is a provocation for the Haitian population. The agents of the BSAP (The Protected Areas Security Brigade) are on our side and have us to go forward with the canal. Today, the Dominican soldiers are here armed with weapons of war to provoke us, but the project of the canal will not be stopped"
3. Various of military in discussion with Haitians while prohibiting them from entering the Dominican Republic
4. UPSOUND Dominican Republic officer talking to Haitians (Spanish) “The Colonel here is me; the Commander here is me. The time for talking is over. We will make you respect the space if you do not want to respect it. The problem is that you can't get upset because we are walking around, and you are upset. Look at your people.”
5. Various of military in discussion with Haitians while prohibiting them from entering the Dominican Republic
6. Various of military helicopter in the area


STORYLINE:
Dominican soldiers and Haitians experienced tense moments on Wednesday while the troops were patrolling the perimeter fence of the Haiti border.

Some Dominican soldiers pointed guns at Haitians as they retreated as the officer pushed them back.

“The problem is that you can't get upset because we are walking around,” said the commander, who did not give his name.

Both countries share the island of Hispaniola and have long had a contentious relationship despite strong economic ties.

Dominican President Luis Abiner banned visas for Haitian citizens and closed the border on September 15 to all migrants, regardless of whether they’re seeking entry for work, tourism, health, or education.

The latest diplomatic crisis stemmed from constructing a canal on the Haitian side that aims to collect water from the Massacre River along the shared border.

Haiti’s government has said farmers urgently need the water after an extended drought withered crops in the Maribaroux plain.

Dominican president claims the canal will hurt farmers in the Dominican Republic.

Haitians at the border saw the ostensive presence of the Dominican Military as a provocation, but the Haitian government has yet to release a statement.

AP Video by Pierre Luxama

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